HOPES have been raised for Osmington's vanishing White Horse thanks to a holiday park boss and council rangers - despite warnings there was nothing to prevent the iconic hill carving 'fading to nothing'.

As reported, a recent snap by local photographer Rob Vincent shows the historic carving barely visible on the hillside.

Dorset Echo: Recent photo showing 'barely there' Osmington White Horse Picture: Rob VincentRecent photo showing 'barely there' Osmington White Horse Picture: Rob Vincent

But now Weymouth's Waterside Holiday Group has come forward to offer help in sprucing it up - while Dorset Council has said that although the authority is not responsible for maintaining the White Horse, its ranger team plans to visit the site this spring.

Dorset Echo: How the carving used to look Picture: Graham HuntHow the carving used to look Picture: Graham Hunt

Dave Bennet, CEO of Waterside Group - which has three holiday parks in the town - has offered support from the business' groundskeepers.

He said: "Anything that's important for the area and so iconic in its own quirky way is worth preserving.

"I wouldn't want to go against anybody who doesn't want (the horse) re-established - but if it's the general consensus that it should be, as a local business if there's anything we could do to help we'd be more than happy.

"We're all realistic that this season is going to be another year where businesses are affected by Covid and there's probably going to be a late opening. I'm sure there will be a huge desire for people to get away from their homes after being stuck inside for so long.

"Ahead of the season, we've kept quite a significant amount of resources in terms of grounds and maintenance, which is potentially why I might have some guys who could help out there.

"The last thing we would want to do is do anything wrong though, so we would only do it if we could take instruction on how to do the work properly."

Meanwhile, Dorset Council has said the authority is not responsible for the maintenance of the White Horse - but that the council ranger team will visit the site this spring.

Giles Nicholson, Dorset Council's Greenspace Manager, said: "There is no imperative for anyone to be involved. Incredibly it can just fade to nothing and therefore is no mandate for anyone to prevent this. Not Dorset Council, Historic England or the landowner.

"However, our ranger team has got the permission to do work and has done some spraying in the past to help delay the natural succession which is turning it green. January is the worst time - poor light, wet. It will look better in summer.

"There is a day already programmed in for the spring. We are arranging a site visit with Historic England this spring also, to review the management plan."