Wiltshire White Horse monument restoration almost complete

Work to repaint an iconic monument in Wiltshire is due to be complete in the next week.

The White Horse, in Westbury, has been restored after algae turned the structure from white to grey.

Conservationists have spent the last seven weeks power-washing and repainting the structure.

Standing at 175ft (53m), the team had to abseil down the structure to restore its lustre.

The much-loved local monument is thought to have been created to commemorate Kind Alfred's victory over the Danish at the Battle of Ethandune in 878.

Will Weir and Tim Dixon, from Sally Strachey Historical Conservation, have been cleaning and painting the Westbury White Horse for the last seven weeks.

The monument was last cleaned in 2016 and has once again turned from white to grey.

English Heritage has engaged the Somerset-based firm, Sally Strachey Historic Conservation, to undertake the work.

The paint alone costs around £25,000.

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