An historic Dorset landmark has been given a spruce up following concerns that it was disappearing into its surroundings.

The Osmington White Horse has been 'brought back to its former glory' by a team of Dorset County Council rangers, who have sprayed the weed growth and removed the vegetation which was blighting the iconic monument.

Residents and visitors had raised concerns that the horse was no longer visible from afar and was fading into the hillside.

After discussions involving Historic England and the county council, it was agreed that the monument would be sprayed this spring once the weather had improved.

County councillor Nick Ireland, who lives in Osmington, said: "I engaged with the environmental director several months ago after receiving complaints regarding the appearance of the Osmington White Horse.

"I’m pleased to see that this has worked, albeit with a few small patches that will be revisited soon.

"Whilst the county council has no obligation to maintain the White Horse, I am glad that they have acknowledged their moral duty to ensure the work of the Osmington Society in restoring the iconic features in time for the Olympics is preserved."

A huge restoration project, involving more than 200 volunteers, was carried out ahead of the 2012 Olympics. It was subsequently given the royal seal of approval by Princess Anne who commended "the sheer hard work" put into the project.

The 210-year-old chalk figure depicts King George III riding his charger, Adonis, and can be seen from the A353 heading towards Osmington from Weymouth.

Dorset County Council said management works are ongoing, but the monument is once again visible.

However, it was not the first time that fears had been raised over the visibility of the popular landmark.

Celebrity Anneka Rice was blamed for greying the monument after spreading hundreds of Portland Stone chippings on it for a Challenge Anneka TV show in 1989.

Measuring 85 metres long and nearly 100 metres high, the Osmington White Horse had steadily deteriorated over the last 200 years.

Its outline had become ill-defined by encroaching plants, unauthorised modifications and the 160 tonnes of limestone mistakenly put on it in 1989.

A community restoration project was therefore formed in May 2009 when more than 350 round helicopter trips took place to remove the limestone.