VOLUNTEERS turned out yesterday to make sure one of Oxfordshire’s most famous landmarks was looking its best.

The annual “chalking” of the White Horse at Uffington is taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend and continues today.

More than 3,000 man hours a year are needed to make sure the horse stays white, for which The National Trust invites the public to help out.

Enstone’s Thomas Robinson, eight, dropped by to help out while camping with his family nearby.

He said: “I really like bashing the chalk. I am having fun and the horse looks really good.”

The horse is 3,000 years old and 110m long.

Its traditional rechalking became a well-known, large-scale public event until it was banned after the 1857 gathering, when it attracted more than 30,000 visitors and travellers, many of whom were reluctant to move on.

Those wanting to take part now have to book.