THE giant carved into a Dorset hillside has all but disappeared, prompting concerns from visitors.

The National Trust has said bad weather and problems with sheep have contributed to the 180ft Cerne Abbas chalk giant's demise, but a plan is in place to fix the problem.

The land around the giant is too steep to mow or graze cattle on, so twice a year neighbouring farmers loan sheep to The National Trust to keep the grass under control.

But this year the wet weather has meant grass and other mosses have grown very quickly.

The sheep have been unavailable because of a decline in sheep farming and because they have been munching grass in their own fields.

Head warden Robert Rhodes said: "We have had problems getting sheep on to the site.

"The sheep have been in their own fields for longer than usual. The grass has grown longer and longer.

"We are hoping to get sheep in next week."

Mr Rhodes said wet weather had also meant that moss had grown on the chalk, hiding the outline of the giant.

"Once the sheep have been in we then have to scrape the outline of the giant to clear off the sheep muck and any debris. We also re-chalk the outline of the giant to make him stand out."

Mr Rhodes said that once every 10 years they also dug out and replaced the chalk as it started to lose its colour. They are set to do this work around September this year.

He added: "I'm always grateful that people have concerns and care for the giant. We are working on it."