A planning application is expected to be submitted to Dover council early next month asking for permission to put up a huge statue of Kent’s symbol, the white Invicta horse.

It has been designed by Ian Morrison, who lives in Wingham near Canterbury and land has already been earmarked for the horse on the cliffs at Little Farthingloe Farm, close to the A20 between Dover and Folkestone.

Mr Morrison said a charity was also being set up to help raise the £2m he estimates the statue will cost.

He came up with the design of a rampant horse – Kent’s symbol – after seeing Mark Wallinger’s winning entry for the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project, popularly christened the Angel of the South.

With its four hooves placed firmly on the ground, Mr Morrison said it was not the right type of horse for a county landmark.

He said the proposed site at Dover was a good one because the horse will be seen from Boulogne and Calais as visitors arrive at the port.

It will be made from galvanised steel and will stand 100ft tall.