T-rex would snap at Beckham's heels

Published on Wednesday 22 August 2007 01:01

THE world's most fearsome carnivore, the Tyrannosaurus rex, would have been able to chase down David Beckham, according to new research.

A study by the University of Manchester used a powerful super-computer to predict the dinosaur could reach running speeds of up to 18mph - slightly faster than a sportsman such as a professional footballer.

Scientists have long questioned how fast a T-rex could run, with some experts arguing that it could only move slowly, or merely walk, because of its large leg muscles.

However, a team headed by a biomechanics expert, Bill Sellers, and a paleontologist, Phil Manning, claim to have the definitive answer. The super-computer calculated the running speeds of five meat-eating dinosaurs that varied in size from a 3kg Compsognathus to a six-tonne Tyrannosaurus.

The research team believes it produced the most accurate results yet, because of the computer's ability to use data relating directly to each dinosaur.