A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save the iconic Osmington White Horse by bringing together a group of volunteers and raising funds to secure its future.

Visitor Rodney Marlow was saddened to hear that the landmark is disappearing amid reports ‘no one is willing to take responsibility for it’.

The historic hillside chalk figure is a tribute to King George III created in 1808 as the monarch enjoyed visiting nearby Weymouth.

But the 280ft by 320ft white chalk figure, that depicts the King riding his charger Adonis, has now blended into its green surroundings.

The monument, which is a local tourist attraction, requires annual spraying and other maintenance to stop weed growth and retain its colour.

However, it has emerged that the figure has not been sprayed since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the council no longer having a budget to maintain it.

The 56-year-old, from Bournemouth, said it would be a huge historical loss for the area if it were to be left to vanish.

Mr Marlow said: “People can not let something like the White Horse go, we can’t lose history it is part of the heritage of the area.

“The White Horse is part of my childhood from coming to Weymouth on holiday so I have fond memories.

“It’s iconic and has been there for 200 odds years, so it would be a shame to let it go - it’s part of the attraction of Weymouth.”

Mr Marlow intends to organise a group of volunteers who, with permission, would maintain the landmark. He also hopes to raise funds by calling on businesses to support the cause and restore the horse to its former glory.

He continued: “It supposedly costs the owner around £2,000 to maintain it but if that was between people and we got volunteers helping, that’s nothing.”

Mr Marlow also runs a mental health-focused Facebook group, called ‘You do not have to’, and says people there are willing to muck in believing the restoration work could be therapeutic.

“The last time I saw it was a bit discoloured, but there have been issues with lockdown and now it appears the council think it it's not worth the money to maintain it,” Mr Marlow added.

“I am quite serious to do something and hopefully we can help. I’ve heard of people willing to volunteer from Bournemouth and with enough people we could do anything.”

Previously a spokesperson from Dorset Council said: "This is a perennial issue which always rears its head in January when the ground is saturated, the chalk is dirty and light is poor.

"The White Horse, Adonis - all 85m of him - does appear to blend in with his surroundings at this time of year and lose some shape and vibrancy but this is temporary.

"We do recognise the importance of this much-loved horse to local people and visitors, and while Dorset Council has no budget to upkeep Adonis, we do have an annual maintenance plan which follows the same pattern each year."

Mr Marlow has created a 'Save the Weymouth White Horse' group on Facebook for people who are interested in volunteering.