A MAJOR bid is being launched to restore the white horse at Osmington to its former glory.

It is planned to remove tons of Portland Stone – scattered on the hillside by Anneka Rice for her TV show in 1989 – to renew the hill carving.

Organisations have joined forces for the scheme and the Georgian Group charity has also vowed to breathe new life into the landmark.

The moves come as the monument – depicting Weymouth’s patron George III – increasingly fades to grey.

Dorset County Council senior archaeologist Steve Wallis said: “The shape of the White Horse has changed significantly over the years since it was first cut into the landscape in 1808, so the first part of the project is understanding the original shape of the figure and how and why it has changed.

“To do this, a geophysical survey will be undertaken and past images of the horse will be studied.”

He added: “Running alongside this, we also have the equally important task of removing the chippings that currently cover the White Horse, which was originally created by removing topsoil to reveal the bedrock of the South Dorset Ridge underneath.

“We want to restore the White Horse in all its glory to as near as possible to how it once was.”

The working group for the restoration includes the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team, Dorset County Council, the Osmington Society and West Dorset District Council.

It is working closely with English Heritage, which will approve the restoration design.

The Georgian Group, which is holding its annual summer school in Weymouth, is also keen to restore the horse.

The charity, which preserves Georgian buildings and monuments, has volunteered to lead a project, co-ordinate labour and look at funding possibilities.

Georgian Group director Robert Bargery said: “Weymouth is one of the best-preserved Georgian seaside resorts. With the Olympics to come it would be a pity if such a photographed view was not evident and the town was shorn of its crowning monument.”

The group is offering free membership for a year for volunteers willing to help.

West Dorset District Council listed buildings officer David Chiplen said: “The district council would support the whitening of the horse at Osmington but the work would require planning consent.”

John Austin, who earlier this year called for chalk from the relief road to be used to whiten the horse, welcomed the developments.

Mr Austin, of Bincleaves Road, Weymouth, said: “It is good news if something positive is being done.

“It is good as long as something is done rather than just words.”