Hundreds of animal skeletons are on display in Doncaster including lions, leopards and rhinos

The Yorkshire Skeleton Museum in Dunscroft has been open since 2018 and is run by collector Alan Turner.

“I think that the anatomy and the way that the bones fit together is quite amazing.

“I see the skeletons as pieces of art more than dead animals - I think they are a work of art created by nature,” said Alan, 54, of Goole.

Some of the animal skeletons in his display include a giant anteater, an Amur leopard, a zebra, snakes, monkeys, birds, and lions.

Alan started his collection in 2011 with just one skeleton of a rabbit, but has since expanded his hobby into collection worthy of a full museum exhibition.

“I opened the museum because my collection built up to a reasonable size and I feel it’s worth sharing,” he continued.

“This is my office I get to enjoy it every day and it would be a shame for it just to be sat and not seen by other people.

“Hopefully it inspires people about animals, wildlife and conservation.”

The two large rooms which display the collection of bones are hidden behind Big Al’s Tattoo Studio which Allan also owns.

“It was the imagery of a skull is what first interested me back when I started tattooing in 2008.

“That’s what led me to start the hobby of putting skeletons together.”

Alan has not always been in this industry in fact prior to opening his tattooing business he was a professional clown for 20 years.

The 250 piece collection is one of the biggest private displays in the UK - it is made up of rodents, reptiles, mammals, fish and even some dinosaur fossils.

“There is a growing community of people who are interested in skeletons - I have had people come from America and Australia with the sole purpose of seeing my collection,” Alan said.

The skeletons are ethically sourced from zoos across Europe.

The museum is free to enter and is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 6pm.