DOZENS of volunteers helped re-chalk the oldest chalk figure in the country this weekend.

Unpaid workers flocked to the White Horse at Uffington near Wantage on Saturday and Sunday to help keep it a gleaming white national landmark.

The re-chalking of the 3,000-year-old horse dates back centuries, but was banned in 1857 after an estimated 30,000 visitors and travelers turned up at White Horse Hill and authorities struggled to move many of them on.

These days, the National Trust, which looks after the hill, invites volunteers to help and provides equipment and instruction.

Ranger Andy Foley said: "It's always a great opportunity for people to provide real hands-on help looking after our local heritage."

The trust will hold another re-chalking session over the bank holiday weekend.