A police probe has been launched after a St George's flag appeared on one of Britain's largest hill chalkings.

Photos show a red cross, believed to represent the flag, on the 168 year-old Kilburn White Horse in North Yorkshire.

As police investigate, furious locals have compared the criminal damage to the hillside landmark to the chopping down of the Sycamore Gap tree - which stood near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland before it was destroyed by vandals.

The incident was first reported at 2pm on Tuesday, September 9.

Taking to Facebook, locals described the vandalism as "sacrilege" and an "utter disgrace". Posting to public Facebook page North Yorkshire Weather Updates, Kate Eccles said: "That is as bad as cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree and deserves punishment."

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