LIKE many humans when they get into their Sixties the white horse at Pewsey has begun to bulge in places where it shouldn't.

While humans have liposuction to do away with excess fat, said Richard Giles who is in charge of restoring the Pewsey monument, white horses have chalkosuction.

Mr Giles is overseeing the restoration of the Pewsey white horse to its original shape.

It was carved on the chalk scarp overlooking Pewsey in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI, on the site of an older horse.

Mr Giles became involved with the maintenance of the white horse as a member of Pewsey's Zixex Club in 1973.

Volunteers from the Zixex Club looked after the horse for about 25 years before Mr Giles, a gardening contractor, was appointed to maintain it.

He became increasingly aware, he said this week, that the shape of the horse has changed over the years.

Mr Giles said: "I realised some time ago that one of the problems is the downhill creep of chalk particles.

"The build up has given the appearance that the horse is tilting back into the hill."

He submitted a report to Pewsey Parish Council which is responsible for the horse and they agreed he could remove the superfluous chalk on the head to start with.

Mr Giles said: "You have heard of liposuction for humans, this was chalkosuction to remove fat bulges under the lower jaw, the leading forelegs, the belly, the leading hind leg and also the tail."

Helped by a labour team provided by Kennet District Council he has pared away the excesses.