EFFORTS to give Osmington’s famous White Horse a makeover starts today.

Youngsters from the Dorset Army Cadet Force will work with Royal Engineers, Royal Navy personnel and members of the Osmington White Horse Restoration Group on the initial phase to restore the 200-year-old King George III monument to its original condition.

They will remove Portland limestone chippings which cover the figure and have slipped over time, blurring its outline. A helicopter will be used to lift the bags of chippings off the hillside.

The early phase of restoration will not return the horse to a pristine condition. More work will be done later to define the outline. The aim is to ensure the monument is returned to its original glory in time for the 2012 Olympics.

The project follows a year of research by the restoration group into how the White Horse has changed over time.

The restoration group is made up of representatives from the Osmington Society, Dorset County Council, West Dorset District Council, the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnership, English Heritage, and with the support of landowners.