Last Days Of The Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs ruled the earth for 150 million years. They walked where we walk, drank the same water and breathed the same air. But then they were gone. Their disappearance is one of the planet's greatest mysteries. Until now. Combining the latest science, geology and palaeontology, Last Days Of The Dinosaurs illustrates what scientists now believe was the reason for their extinction. Although the famous meteorite is credited with having wiped out the dinosaurs, in fact it was just the final nail in their coffin. Millions of years before it, global climate change transformed their world into a living hell. With ground-breaking animation, this special reconstructs the dinosaur world of the late Cretaceous period, and re-imagines the colossal fireballs, devastating blast-waves, giant earthquakes and mega tsunamis that changed life on the planet forever, ultimately setting the stage for the next species to rule the earth - us.

. Sunday 12th February @ 9.00pm

Machines

Machines takes a look at the largest and most technologically advanced machines from around the world. Visually stunning, the series shows how machines work and documents both the mingenuity of the project management teams and the skills of those who operate them. In the first episode, viewers will witness the Road Train, the longest road going vehicle in the world... and the strongest. This heavy hauler is headed into dangerous territory, on a mission to bring electricity to an isolated region of South Africa; Legend, the high tech guardian of America's Seas. This is an incredible first look at the crew who train to protect the USA form drug runners with the cutting edge law enforcement battleship Dreadnaught. There's also the F60 Excavator - The world's largest mining machine which is put into overdrive as Germany goes nuclear free, working round the clock to uncover the brown coal the country needs to keep the countries power on; and the Sea King multi-role helicopter, this tried and tested warhorse has been modified for the 21st century battlefield, and now the crews need to get to grips with it before taking them to Afghanistan. Fast paced and dramatic, this series takes engineering to a fascinating new level.

Thursdays from 9th February @ 9.00pm

World's Toughest Prisons

Latin American Prisons are unlike anything in Europe or the United States. The guards man the walls on the outside but inside, the prisoners are in charge. In these jails rape, murder and starvation are facts of life and prisoners accept that there is only a 50 per cent chance of survival. Santa Martha in Mexico and Lurigancho in Peru are two of Latin America's toughest prisons. This one-off documentary, World's Toughest Prisons takes a look at the life on the inside of both.

Tuesday 7th February  @ 10.00pm