Scientists have discovered a bizarre armoured dinosaur which had metre-long spikes sticking out from its neck.

The species, called Spicomellus afer, lived 165 million years ago, and is the oldest example of a group of armoured dinosaurs called ankylosaurs.

The elaborateness and spikiness of the animal found in Morocco has come as a shock to experts, who now have to rethink how these armoured dinosaurs evolved.

Prof Richard Butler, from the University of Birmingham who co-led the research, told BBC News that it was the "punk rocker" of its time.

Punk rock is a sub-culture and music style that first emerged in the 1970s. Its followers often have spiky hair and accessories.