RESTORATION work has started on an iconic landmark near Weymouth after concerns were raised it has been left in a 'sorry and dreary' state.
As previously reported, Dorset Council has assured residents that the iconic Osmington White Horse ‘does not need saving’ despite losing its distinctive colour and insisted the landmark will be 'looking at its best very soon’.
It comes following concerns raised by former chairman of the Osmington White Horse Restoration Project Geoffrey Codd, aged 90, who said he was saddened by its current 'sorry and dreary' state.
READ MORE: Dorset's iconic White Horse vanishing after years of neglect
The local authority said it has now started the first phase of maintenance for the hillside chalk figure - also known as Adonis - by defining the edging, clearing scrubs and rebuilding retaining walls.
The monument, which is a local tourist attraction, requires annual spraying and other maintenance to stop weed growth in order to retain its colour.
Recently, it emerged that the figure has not been sprayed since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the local council no longer have a budget to restore it, according to Dorset Council councillor for Crossways Nick Ireland.
Dorset Council said although there is no budget to upkeep Adonis, the 'importance' of the figure to the local community is understood, and they have an 'annual maintenance plan' in place for it.
A spokeswoman from Dorset Council said: "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."
The authority had also previously said the first phase of the maintenance plan would start in this month.
The spokeswoman added: "As planned, our countryside rangers are on site at the Osmington White Horse this week.
"They have been defining the edge, clearing scrub and rebuilding retaining walls.
"This gets the area ready for the bulk of the work, set to take place in April and May."
The 280ft by 320ft iconic landmark was created in 1808 as a tribute to King George III, following his the monarch's visit to the nearby resort of Weymouth.
Giles Nicholson, Dorset Council’s Service Manager for Coast and Greenspace, said: "Dorset Council recognises the importance of the Osmington White Horse to local people and visitors, which is why for many years we have had an annual maintenance plan for the site.
"Now that our rangers are no longer being redeployed to help with the pandemic response, we are pleased to resume our scheduled works.
"The activity taking place now, which involves defining the edge, clearing scrub and (re)building retaining walls, prepares the site for further works in April and May which, depending on the weather, is when we hope to start getting the monument back to looking its best."
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