POSTCARD collectors are helping to put experts in the picture for a revamp of the Osmington White Horse.

Members of the Dorset Postcard Club have dug out historic images as work continues to restore the hillside monument to its former glory.

John Kennedy spotted the postcards when fellow member Peter Cove, from Bridport, brought them along to a meeting.

Dorset County Council is leading a project to clear the 323ft high sculpture – depicting King George III on his horse – of chippings of Portland Stone.

Mr Kennedy, who lives in Charminster, near Dorchester, said: “I said ‘oh look what we have here’ when Mr Cove brought them to a meeting.

“Some of us said that the council and the Echo would love to see them as they want to see details of the white horse as it was.

“There were several very clear images.”

Mr Kennedy, a former deputy principal of Kingston Maurward college, added: “I am certain the postcards would be useful.

“You couldn’t get a more accurate record as they are stamped with the date.”

The postcards are from such years as 1905, 1909, 1910, 1920 and the 1970s. The working group for the White Horse restoration includes the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team, Dorset County Council, the Osmington Society and West Dorset District Council.

The working group’s project includes removing scalpings of Portland Stone placed on the horse as part of a BBC Challenge Anneka television show in 1989.

The monument was created in 1808 by removing topsoil to reveal the bedrock.

The project group has appealed for older images of the White Horse so they can see how the shape of the horse has changed over the years. Dorset County Council senior archaeologist Steve Wallis said: “We are hoping to reach an agreement with English Heritage and all those concerned about the removal of the scalpings.”

Former presenter Anneka Rice has vowed to return to help revamp the White Horse.

l Dorset Postcard Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month at the Lubbecke Hall in Lubbecke Way, Dorchester, at 7.30pm.