THE Cerne Abbas Giant gets his own comic book character – but one notable part of the ancient landmark will be missing.

The publishers of new digital comic Englishman have said they will be covering up the giant after they say some digital outlets declined to carry the comic in its uncensored form.

The famous landmark will appear in the comic as an actual character.

A spokesman for Eco Comics said: "We are releasing a variant edition of Englishman Number one in which the Cerne Giant's... rather renowned region... will be fully concealed.

"It seems a sad indictment of the times when a legendary landmark like the Cerne Giant - which any man, woman or child can visit any day of the week - must be covered up in a comic book.”

The publishers have not said how the notorious chalk figure of Dorset will appear in future issues.

Publishers say the new comic series will take readers into a world where extremism, surveillance, over-population, pollution, house-building and removal of wilderness and greenbelt are rife.

The comic is available from mohawkmedia.co.uk/ecocomics.

The ancient chalk figure is 180ft tall and is looked after by the National Trust. It is sculpted into the hillside above the village of Cerne Abbas.

A spokesman for the Trust said: “Standing at 180ft tall, this is Britain's largest chalk hill figure. It is also our most controversial.

“Many theories surround the giant's identity. Is it an ancient symbol of spirituality? The Greco-Roman hero Hercules? Or a mockery of Oliver Cromwell? Local folklore has long held it to be an aid to fertility.

“Above the Cerne Giant is a rectangular earthwork enclosure, known as the Trendle.

“Like the giant, the Trendle is of unknown origin, but it is believed to date back to the Iron Age. It is still used today by local Morris Dancers as a site for May Day celebrations.”