CAMPAIGNER Chrystal Payne is appealing for support in her bid to revive the tradition of lighting up the Westbury White Horse.

Bathampton resident Chrystal Payne remembered the illuminations in 1950: "All you could see was the horse, which looked like it was flying through the sky."

As she knew the famous landmark had also been lit up in 1900 she had been looking forward to a repeat of the event in 2000.

She said: "My family and neighbours were really psyched up for the illuminations."

It did not happen as she hoped and now she believes the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 would be the perfect time to light up one of Wiltshire's best-known landmarks.

The White Horse News mentioned her idea in a report otherwise focusing on plans for street parties.

Mrs Payne subsequently received a letter from the body which decides on the allocation of Jubilee funds, which stated: "The Jubilee Celebrations Committee is currently exploring this idea, but as you say in your letter the funding of such a project could be prohibitive."

But finding the money is just one of the problems she faces, there are also rules and regulations to overcome.

Westbury town councillor Les Fry told her there would be a great deal of red tape involved in getting permission from English Heritage, which is responsible for the Horse, for an official illumination.

Mrs Payne said: "I wouldn't be able to handle it on my own.

"But it would be very significant occasion because it's an old custom. It is part of our heritage and it would affect people in a subtle way. Nowadays people are into things from the east, like feng shui, but we already have our own traditions."

Next Friday, the winter solstice, the Wiltshire Crop Study Circle Group are planning to illuminate the Alton Barnes White Horse. Their newsletter, The Spiral, invites people to bring candles in jam jars and torches.

If anyone remembers the previous illuminations or is interested in attempts light up the White Horse next year, contact the Wiltshire Times on (01225) 777292.