PRINCESS Anne has given the royal seal of approval to the newly-restored Osmington White Horse.

The Princess Royal graced White Horse Farm in Osmington yesterday to celebrate the monument 204 years after its creation.

Residents, volunteers and Dorset Police officers waited for almost three hours for the Royal visitor who was delayed due to fog.

After arriving by helicopter Princess Anne, wearing a red ensemble, spent around 40 minutes greeting volunteers before she unveiled a plaque.

The monument was originally made in tribute to King George III in 1808 who could not return to Weymouth to acknowledge the monument due to illness.

The Princess Royal, who has her own distinguished equestrian background, celebrated the tribute on behalf of her royal relative.

She admired the restored monument from White Horse farm which is situated directly beneath it.

When thanked for recognising the restoration project she said: “It is my pleasure to so.

“It is nice to see the Horse close up; I've seen it before but only going past.

“I expect there will be a few sailors out on the water who will not know who to thank for such a landmark.

“It is impressive to think that even in a modern age technology is not the answer. This was sheer hard work.”

The Princess Royal paid to tribute to the fact the restoration had occurred in time for the Olympic Sailing events.

West Dorset District Councillor Teresa Seall of Owemoigne Ward where the Horse is situated said the royal visit was fantastic for the community who appreciated the recognition.

Geoff Codd, chairman of the Osmington White Horse Restoration Group thanked The Princess Royal and all of the groups and individuals from the local community for their support and involvement.

He said: “We are delighted that Princess Anne has been able to finally come to see this monument to her great, great, great, great grandfather, and recognise the effort that everyone has put in, during this Jubilee year and ahead of the sailing Olympics when the monument will be seen around the world.”

Standing 85 metres long and nearly 100 metres high the monument had been deteriorating due to weathering and plant growth.

The Osmington White Horse Restoration Group was set up in 2009 and, with much help, work began in July 2010.

Help came in the aid of a grant from Natural England, technical expertise by Ordnance Survey and English Heritage.

Others involved included Dorset County Countryside and the Coastal Ranger Team, the Osmington Society and Friends of the Restoration Project.

Research included using oil paintings from the period, old photographs and Ordinance Survey Maps and the use of the latest GPS and mapping technologies.

The plaque will be sited at a viewing area situated along the A353. nemma.walker@dorsetecho.co.uk

MORE than 287 days were given up by volunteers to help restore the Osmington White Horse.

Some groups were keen to give Princess Anne a royal welcome. Weymouth East Scouts and Houlding Explorers helped to renovate the tail and one of the back legs.

Scout Jack Jenkins, 16, said: “It is nice to have appreciation for all our hard work. “It is really steep up there and was such hard work.

" I wasn't scared but we kept slipping down the hill. “It was a good informal and personal way to speak to her.

"She is very nice and was really interested in what we achieved.”

Michael Watson, Leading Air Engineering Technician (LAET) for RNAS Yeovilton, said he and his team of volunteers worked on the legs completing six days of volunteering. Around 400 Army Cadets nationwide took part in the project with Dorset Army Cadets present at the royal unveiling.

Sergeant Lauren Weymouth, 16 said: “It was really fun but such hard work. I've never seen anyone from the royal family before it was really exciting.”