Sir. - I note that in your feature on the hill fort near the White Horse of Kilburn (D&S, Nov 9)some inaccurate information about the horse was given by Mr Graham Lee.

Regarding wartime camouflage, the horse was covered with netting for most of 1939-45; the net was removed in 1945.

As for size and shape, the present dimensions, legs included, are very similar to the original drawing from which the horse was designed, the exception being the head and neck which had become too short and narrow due to grass growth in the period when the horse was under camouflage.

In an attempt to improve the head, it was made too wide and long by some enthusiastic county council workers in the 70s.

Aerial pictures often show elongated legs or legs of indeterminate length. This is because the chalk is washed down the hill from the feet by erosion. The horse is not on a flat surface and its shape and dimensions will always appear to be different in aerial pictures according to the angle from which the picture is taken.

Measurements on the ground are the only true comparison with the original 1857 design.

Most of the picture postcards of the horse published in the early part of the last century were touched up by the publishers and are not a true guide to its shape, condition or whiteness.

I remember examining the hill fort with an amateur archaeologist in the early 30s and its boundaries could be seen quite distinctly before the gliding club airfield was levelled. Part of the perimeter bank disappeared with a cliff fall in the 40s.

Mr FRED BANKS

Wakendale House,

Oldstead,

York.