THE upkeep of the famous White Horse of Kilburn has passed to the Forestry Commission (FC) from the voluntary group which has looked after it for 161 years.

The horse, which lies on land owned by the FC, will now be maintained by them instead of the Kilburn White Horse Association (WHA).

A spokesman for the FC said that the transfer of responsibility from the WHA to the FC had been agreed following meetings last year, owing to the health and safety laws around working on the steep slopes, and national volunteering guidelines.

A spokesman for the FC said it recognised the work that has been historically carried out to maintain the horse, and they acknowledged that this work has ensured the survival of the horse over many years.

They added the commission “has thanked the WHA for their hard work and dedication and appreciates the work they have done over the years”.

John Roberts, secretary to the WHA, said the association has, in the past, "groomed" the figure annually, and every four or five years, given it a new coat of paint.

He said: “This is necessary as the horse was cut on brown limestone rather than the white chalk of the southern figures.

“The new regime will be good for the horse in many ways but very sad for the members of the association who have dedicated many years to maintaining the well-loved figure.”