'Minimal damage' after England flag on white horse

Red fabric was attached to each side of the horse to resemble a St George's flag

A historic white horse carved into a Wiltshire hillside has sustained "minimal damage" after it was temporarily turned into a St George's flag.

Red fabric was draped over the Westbury White Horse in the shape of a cross on Tuesday, and attached to the 175ft (53m) tall landmark using pegs.

The installation has since been removed after being reported to English Heritage, which said they had assessed the site and that the pegs had "thankfully caused minimal damage".

The monument is thought to have been originally carved in 878 AD to commemorate King Alfred's victory over the Danes at the Battle of Ethandune.

English Heritage says the fabric has been removed from the hillside landmark, which is about 175ft (53m) high

However, local records suggest the horse silhouette appeared in the late 1600s.

It was later remodelled in the late 18th Century and preserved with concrete in the 1950s.

An English Heritage spokesperson said: "The red fabric which was attached to the Westbury White Horse was removed and we have now assessed the site.

"The pegs used to secure the fabric were installed within joints but they have thankfully caused minimal damage."

Wiltshire Police said no criminal offences were thought to have been committed and the force was not investigating.