Dorset's Osmington White Horse outline to be restored

Historical accounts differ on whether the horse was ever a perfect white

Work is due to begin to restore the Osmington White Horse monument in Dorset back to its original position.

The 260ft (79m) figure, which overlooks Weymouth Bay, was carved into the hills in the early 19th Century.

Over time the outline of the 200-year-old figure has been "degraded", says Melanie Osborne from Ordnance Survey.

"It's not in the wrong place, it's just that its tail might not be as long, or its hat could be slightly shorter than it originally was," she added.

Surveyors will undertake a fieldwork study on Thursday which will help them to identify exactly where the original outline of the figure was, using an aerial photograph from 1947.

Ordnance Survey and English Heritage are helping to restore the horse prior to the 2012 Olympics, when Weymouth and Portland will host the sailing events.

The restoration follows a year of research by the Osmington White Horse Restoration Group into how the White Horse has changed over time, however historical accounts differ on whether the horse was ever a perfect white.

Failed TV revamp

Volunteers will be on hand to help the first phase of restoration work of the monument, which was created in honour of George III, a frequent visitor to the town on his favourite grey charger.

It was created by local people in 1808 by removing the topsoil to reveal the bedrock of the South Dorset Ridgeway underneath.

An attempt by BBC TV programme Challenge Anneka in 1989 to revamp the figure failed as restoration work deteriorated afterwards.

In 2010 Ms Rice apologised and offered to help repair the landmark herself.

She told the BBC: "It is just terribly sad and I am so sorry that we were obviously given all the wrong ingredients and advice."