EXHIBITION: Fossils at Littlehampton Museum

Fossil experts Roy Shepherd, originally from Littlehampton, and Robert Randell, from Worthing, are displaying parts of their collections of Sussex chalk fossils in the Hearne Room gallery.

Now in their late 20s, both have been collecting these ancient reminders of the past since they were aged four.

Roy told guests at a preview of the exhibition on Saturday, March 5, that his interest in fossils had been sparked by one of a sea urchin he found in his father’s workshop.

He felt Sussex’s status as an area for collecting fossils was under-rated when compared with Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, with Bracklesham Bay, Peacehaven and Beachy Head among the best sites for finding fossils.

Roy added he and Robert were dedicating their exhibition to the memory of Roy Strevens, a “prolific” fossil collector from Southwick, who had been an inspiration to them, and who died last year, aged 99.