White horses defaced by activists

The Kilburn additions were soon removed

Two of England's most well-known monuments have been defaced by pro-hunting activists.

Campaigners for the Real Countryside Alliance say they painted the images which appeared on the white horses in North Yorkshire and Oxfordshire.

A rider in full hunt regalia was painted on the White Horse at Kilburn in North Yorkshire which dates from 1837

And on the Bronze Age image at Uffington in Oxfordshire, three white hounds and a rider were added.

The Uffington additions should wash away

The images are the work of members of the Real Countryside Alliance.

A spokesman for the RCA said they had become frustrated at a lack of action in getting the pro-hunting message across.

"All we want is ministers to take notice," he said.

In Kilburn, John Roberts from the local White Horse Association says they had managed to remove the new image without causing too much damage.

The Countryside Alliance has dissociated itself from the actions, adding that it "regretted" any damage which may have been caused.