SCOUTS and cubs in Devizes are always ready to do a good turn but the youngsters took on a rather bigger challenge than usual when they celebrated St George's Day by sprucing up the town's Millennium White Horse.

Scout leader Scott Coleman was delighted with not just the brighter appearance of the horse on Roundway Hill but also the fun and friendly day had by all who took part.

He said: "To celebrate St George’s Day, 6th Devizes arrived in force, started off with a picnic lunch and then set to, weeding The White Horse.

"Everyone had a lovely time, making new friends, chatting, laughing, including many parents who came along to help and a huge thanks to them.

"All the beavers, cubs, scouts and leaders listened to the Rev Steve Ibbetson who gave a Scouts Own service and then we finished off by renewing our promises.

"It was a very different way to celebrate St George's Day rather than the usual parade and church service."

The horse was created by volunteers in September 1999 ready for the millennium celebrations. It is 150ft long and 148ft high and can be seen from as far away as Bratton Downs where the Westbury White Horse resides.

Back in 1999 around 200 people spent the weekend of September 18 and 19 cutting out out one metre lengths. The site was closed the next day so an engineering firm could spend several days digging out the body of the horse and positioning rocks to be used as the horse's eye and nostril. It was completed on September 29.