A FAMOUS North Yorkshire landmark is getting a make-over this week thanks to a small group of dedicated volunteers.

The White Horse, carved into the hillside above the village of Kilburn, is being returned to its original splendour after five years of Yorkshire weather took its toll.

In response to an appeal by the Kilburn White Horse Association, Richmond-based Instore Solutions offered to send three professionals without charge to carry out the restoration.

Helen Bielby, vice-chairman of the Kilburn White Horse Association, said: “It’s an icon of Yorkshire and it can be seen from some distance away. Obviously when it’s whiter it’s more visible.”

The visual impact of the horse is not only affected by worn paint but also by algae growing on the exposed rock. The landmark was last painted five years ago.

In 2005 a 150-ft jockey was placed on the horse by the Yorkshire Tourist Board to welcome Royal Ascot to York, and in 2002 a “huntsman” was put in the saddle.

In 1992, pranksters turned the horse into a zebra by using rolls of black bin bags to create stripes.