Transport secretary Stephen Byers has given the green light to a white horse landmark to be carved into a hill site of conservational interest.

The White Horse Millennium Landmark will now be cut into the chalk at Cheriton hill in Folkestone, despite advice against the proposal from English Nature.

Friends of the Earth believes that the decision sets a precedent, allowing major planning projects to be approved for such sites, and have written to the commission calling for the inquiry.