AFTER two years of hard graft and hours of volunteer labour, one of Weymouth’s most recognisable features has been returned to its true state.

Osmington White Horse, the 200-year-old scheduled ancient monument to the east of the town, has been undergoing a transformation after years of neglect, weeds and weathering left it mis-shapen and discoloured.

On Saturday, with help from the Weymouth East Scouts and the Houlding Explorer Unit who are based in Preston in the shadow of the hill, the final touches were added to the horse’s restored silhouette.

Seventeen youngsters and parents, with guidance from John Hayes and Nick Tarrier of Dorset County Council’s Countryside Service, spent the day renovating the horse’s tail and restoring it to its original outline.

John, senior ranger with Dorset Count Council’s Countryside Service, has overseen the project from start to finish. He has been involved in every step of the process, from mapping the outline with help from English Heritage, Ordnance Survey and the county council’s archaeological department, to working on the horse with every volunteer group.

This year the main thrust of the restoration has been reshaping the horse and removing weeds and the tonnes of limestone scalpings – loose stones – dumped there by Anneka Rice in an attempt to make the horse white.

John said: “It has been a brilliant project to be involved with and hopefully people will think the horse looks better than it did.

“We have restored it to its natural surface and its original shape using a variety of methods and although it will not be brilliantly sparkling white, is now has the surface it is supposed to have.”

John and Nick have spent 12 days overseeing volunteers on the horse this summer. Groups taking part have included PGL Osmington adventure camp workers, International Baccalaureate students from Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester and staff from RNAS Yeovilton.

The restoration has also been supported by the Osmington Society who have kept an on-going blog recording its progress.

John said: “The restoration has shown just how well different organisations can work together and what they can achieve. Everyone has been brilliant and our next task will be to set up a friends group or invite organisations to adopt a part of the horse to keep it in good condition.”

Nicky Jenkins, who helps run Weymouth East Scouts and the Houlding Explorer Unit with her husband Chris, said: “John asked if we would like to help out and we thought it would be a great idea, especially as we use the White Horse as our logo.

“As well as the tail, we have also restored the second leg from the back of the horse and intend to return there and keep it in good shape.”

She added: “It is lovely to be part of the project because the horse is on our turf and we often hike up there as a group. I am incredibly proud of all the work that the kids have put into it this summer.”

For further details of the White Horse project, contact John Hayes on 01305 228953 or see the blog at osmingtonwhitehorse.info