PEOPLE are being asked to don their wellies and bring a bucket to carry out weeding at one of Wiltshire's white horses.

A team of restorers is hoping to return the 49-metre long Cherhill Horse to its former glory.

It is organising a weeding day on the hill, and is also looking for people to cut a new outline to create a new white horse.

Cherhill is the second oldest of Wiltshire's nine white horse hillside figures, created 200 years ago.

But the elements have taken their toll on horse to the extent that is no longer white or even particularly horse-shaped.

Cherhill Parish Council chairman councillor David Grafton said: "The belly of the horse has moved up about 10ft due to erosion and the legs are all too long. It looks more like a giraffe at the moment."

The parish council used aerial photos and old drawings to create a computer image of the horse's true shape.

Then, with the help of the 1st Cherhill Scouts, they marked out the horse's outline on the hillside last month.

The next stage is to use 200 tonnes of chalk to make the horse as bright, white and clearly visible as when it was first created in 1780.

The work it likely to be paid for out of money raised by the Government's Landfill Tax Credit.

North Wiltshire firm Hills Waste has provided the money through its Landfill Tax payments.

The cash has to be used on local community projects.

The Government is expected to decide within the next month whether it will give the White Horse scheme its backing.

The horse was cut into Marlborough Down by Calne doctor Christopher Alsop. It is just below the earthwork remains of Oldbury Castle and is sometimes referred to as Oldbury Horse.

It was probably inspired by Wiltshire's first White Horse at Westbury which had been restored two years before.

Councillor Grafton said: "Effectively we are restoring something which was created 200 years ago.

"It belongs to the village of Cherhill, it's an independent landmark which will enhance and improve the environment."

The weeding party has been organised on Saturday, July 13, as part of the Cherhill White Horse restoration.

It is also proposed to cut the new outline in preparation for the major works planned for late summer.

Volunteers are asked to assemble at the Black Horse pub, Cherhill at 9am weather permitting.

They should bring suitable tools and a packed lunch. For more details call Rob Pickford on 01249 822884.

www.wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/cherhill