ONE OF Wiltshire's oldest white horses is looking the best it has done for nearly 200 years.

Villagers at Cherhill have just completed the biggest restoration of the giant hillside chalk carving.

It cost £18,000 and was paid for with the help of a £15,000 grant from the Government's Landfill Tax Credit. Cash from the tax on waste companies has to be spent on projects to improve the environment.

Some 100 villagers turned out for the official "unveiling" of the horse .

Bob Husband, of Cherhill Restoration Committee, said: "It looks as good as it's ever looked at the moment.

"It's the symbol of the village and people of the village are delighted because it does mean something to them.

"It's part of their heritage and the children especially will be able to remember that they were there when it was restored and hopefully they will look after it in the future."

Cherhill is the second oldest of Wiltshire's 11 white horses and was originally created in 1780.

It has been restored over the last four weeks as contractors and villagers used 150 tons of chalk to return the horse to its original shape and colour.

Mr Husband said villagers of all ages were delighted to see the horse back to its former glory.