A RECENT photograph shows the iconic Osmington White Horse has faded dramatically and is now barely visible on the hillside.

Measuring 85 metres long and nearly 100 metres high, the historic chalk landmark - which depicts King George III riding his charger, Adonis - is over 210 years old.

A local tale claims that the king was so offended by the carving, because it shows him riding away from Weymouth, rather than towards it, that he never returned.

Dorset Echo: The White Horse, as it used to look Picture: Graham HuntThe White Horse, as it used to look Picture: Graham Hunt

It is a familiar sight on the A353 route into the town - but local photographer Rob Vincent recently captured this shot of the horse looking decidedly off-colour.

Advocating a need to give a good first impression to 'staycationers' visiting the area, Mr Vincent said: "It's a shame to lose part of Weymouth's history and see it being taken back over by nature - especially since we have to trade on our history for staycations this year.

"We need to rebuild our tourism industry to generate lost income for our area."

Dorset Echo: Just a faint outline of the iconic carving remains visible Picture: Rob VincentJust a faint outline of the iconic carving remains visible Picture: Rob Vincent

Dorset Councillor for Crossways, Nick Ireland, said Dorset Council is responsible for spraying the monument yearly and performing other maintenance as required.

"This is now an ad-hoc agreement - but realistically there is nobody else who could do it," he said. "I've had to chase this in the past and did so last year but, as far as I'm aware, disappointingly nothing was done in 2020."

Cllr Ireland said the maintenance is usually carried out during April, and is urging the council to ensure it goes ahead this year.

"The project to restore the monument took a lot of volunteer time and effort plus not unsubstantial funds," he added. "We need to keep it looking as good as it was when under the spotlight during the 2012 Olympics."

Dorset Council has been contacted for a comment.

In 2012 the Osmington White Horse finally received the Royal seal approval - when HRH Princess Anne visited the monument.

Dorset Echo: HRH Princess Royal visiting the White Horse in 2012 Picture: osmingtonwhitehorse.infoHRH Princess Royal visiting the White Horse in 2012 Picture: osmingtonwhitehorse.info Prior to that, the White Horse was infamously the subject of a well-intended bodge-job by celebrity Anneka Rice in 1989, when the presenter was blamed for greying the monument after spreading hundreds of Portland Stone chippings on it for her Challenge Anneka TV show.

For more information about the carving visit www.osmingtonwhitehorse.info