His tail came down first and the rest followed suit. The Museum's Diplodocus cast is now safely tucked into boxes.

For the first time in decades the dinosaur is away from the public eye, having been in Hintze Hall, the building's central space, since 1979.

But the dismantling is the first stage in a long process for the beloved specimen as it prepares to embark on a tour of the UK.

Scaffolding and special lifting equipment were installed around Dippy to allow the Museum's conservation team to carefully remove each bone and lower it to the floor.