The half-naked woman was seen straddling the model T-Rex in broad daylight at a dinosaur safari trail in Exmouth, Devon

Police believe they have identified a woman who was pictured performing a lewd sex act on a model dinosaur at a family-friendly attraction.

The woman, who had her bare bottom on full show, was seen straddling the model T-Rex in broad daylight at a dinosaur safari trail in Exmouth, Devon.

She appeared not have a care in the world as she posed for the explicit image which later surfaced on social media.

Sergeant Richard Stonecliffe, from Exmouth Police, said: 'We are still continuing our investigations and we have now identified the woman in the photographs who we will be speaking to.'

Parents said they had been left shocked by the incident, while organisers of the Exmouth Dino Trail attraction said they were 'completely disgusted'.

One parent said: 'I worry as children play with these dinosaurs, I was disgusted. I feel sick to think that children are anywhere near that.'

John Thorogood, organiser of the attraction, added: 'I saw the image on social media and was completely disgusted by it.

'It was clearly a deliberately posed photograph of a very immature adult engaged in a sex act.

'Whilst we have had some deliberate damage to the dinosaurs in past weeks, this episode brings things to an all time low as far as these important and very popular assets to our town are concerned.

'I hope the police are successful in tracing this woman and dealing robustly with it.

The fibreglass sculptures trail officially launched on August 21 and is designed to highlight the seaside resort's connection with the Jurassic Coast, which stretches from Orcombe Point at the end of the seafront to Portland in Dorset.

The model of a baby T-Rex in an egg is located beneath The Beacon and had already been damaged by vandals this month – with its head being ripped off and surrounding shell damaged.

Other incidents of mistreatment of the models includes a life-sized Stegosaurus having its tail removed.

Sergeant Richard Stonecliffe, of Exmouth police, said: 'We have been made aware of two pictures that were posted on social media this week which appear to show a woman exposing herself whilst undertaking a distasteful act in public, and exposing herself in a local public house.

Parents said they had been left shocked by the incident, while organisers of the Exmouth Dino Trail attraction said they were 'completely disgusted'. Pictured: The fibreglass model of a T-Rex was already damaged earlier this month by vandals who chopped off its head (pictured)

The fibreglass sculptures trail officially launched on August 21 and is designed to highlight the seaside resort's connection with the Jurassic Coast. Pictured: A sign at the family-friendly park

East Devon District Council's cleansing team swiftly took action cleaning the dinosaur sculpture following the lewd incident

'Enquiries are underway and we are attempting to identify the woman in question.

'We recommend that members of the public think very carefully before posting any images on to social media.

'All sections of society, and people of all ages have access to websites and forums.

'This means images possibly taken in jest and that you would not share in the cold light of day, may go viral and be seen by children, you family, neighbours or colleagues.

'Even if the offending images are quickly removed, they will often have been captured or saved by someone and then they could easily be reposted.

'What may be deemed amusing to one person can be deemed offensive and upsetting to others; this could see you in trouble with the police.'

East Devon District Council's cleansing team swiftly took action cleaning the dinosaur sculpture following the lewd incident.

A spokesman said: 'We are shocked and dismayed at this appalling act of gross indecency to one of the dinosaur models in the dinosaur trail organised and installed by Exmouth Town Council.

The dinosaur did used to have a head but it was removed prior to the grim incident taking place

The image of the half-naked woman performing the lewd sex act was posted on social media

'The trail has been a huge success with visitors and the local community alike, especially with children, which makes this behaviour by an adult all the more deplorable.

'We understand that the town council, as owners of the dinosaurs, have already contacted the police and that the appropriate action will be taken.

'We have instructed our StreetScene team to clean the dinosaur thoroughly using a strong disinfectant. We would like to encourage people to continue to visit this wonderful attraction.