Conservationists given Giant task FRENCH conservationists will join a group of volunteers from Dorset in touching up' the Cerne Abbas Giant.

Dorset Countryside Volunteers is calling for help to spruce up the landmark by removing plants and debris from its outline and adding new chalk.

A spokesman for the group said 12 members of French conservation group Association Orchis will be among those helping.

The spokesman said: "Due to the sensitive nature of the site and the steepness of the hill, machinery cannot be used safely, so it is down to people power to carry out the work."

He said volunteers will spend one weekend cleaning away old chalk, plants, grass and debris from the giant's outline and removing it at a dumping site over the hill.

The spokesman said that some of the following weekend's work will be done by members of Association Orchis from St Vaast Le Hogue, Normandy.

He said that the focus of that weekend will be adding new chalk to the giant's outline, tamping it down and wetting it to form a paste on top and help prevent further erosion.

The spokesman said: "Dorset Countryside Volunteers has worked on the giant a number of times in the past to clean up and to re-chalk him.

"In 2001, the volunteers spent two Sundays touching up parts where chalk had been washed out and some essential cleaning where grass and weeds had strayed."

The latest round of work is taking place between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday 14 and at the same times on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21. Volunteers should meet before 10am at Kettlebridge car park and bring a lunch, sturdy footwear, work gloves and waterproofs.

Tea, coffee and squash will be provided for volunteers by the organisers on the day.

The spokesman for the volunteers added that National Trust volunteers will be working at the site during the week beginning September 15 and people can contact the trust for more information on their work.

He also said that Dorset Countryside Volunteers will have a display stand about their work at the Stock Gaylord Oak Fair near Sturminster Newton on Saturday, August 23.