This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/wiltshire/8110646.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Stonehenge crowds cause gridlock Record crowd for Solstice sunrise
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people have flocked to Stonehenge in Wiltshire to celebrate the Summer Solstice, causing roads in the area to become gridlocked. A record crowd of about 36,500 revellers has welcomed the dawn of the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge.
English Heritage, which manages the ancient monument, said the car parks were full hours before sunrise. The number of people attending the event caused roads in the area to become gridlocked in the hours leading up to sunrise at 0458 BST.
Crowds who made it through the traffic saw Druid ceremonies at the stones as the sun rose on the longest day. Druid ceremonies took place alongside music and Morris dancing, however overcast skies obscured the sun.
Earlier, Wiltshire Police said they expected numbers for the event to exceed last year's figure of 30,000. Police praised the crowd and said there had been only 25 arrests for minor disorder and drug offences.
The event to mark the dawn of the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere has grown in popularity since a four-mile exclusion zone around the site was lifted nine years ago. Sam Edwards, from Wiltshire police, said: "We are very pleased everything went to plan.
"The atmosphere has been very good, especially around the stones.
Police for the most part are wishing people a happy Solstice and so are the security guards Druid King Arthur PendragonPolice for the most part are wishing people a happy Solstice and so are the security guards Druid King Arthur Pendragon
Police drafted in extra officers and warned warmer weather and the fact that the event falls on a weekend would increase numbers further. "Most people have been very co-operative with us and very understanding of the reasons for our presence.
They also said there would be a zero tolerance approach to drugs and drunkenness, with an alcohol limit of four cans of beer or a bottle of wine per person imposed by English Heritage. The event to mark the dawn of the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere has grown in popularity since a four-mile exclusion zone around the site was lifted nine years ago.
English Heritage, which manages the ancient monument, said the car park was full with 6,500 cars two hours before sunrise.
Meanwhile the main route into Stonehenge, the A303, was closed due to volumes of traffic.
Peter Carson, head of Stonehenge, said: "We were expecting it to be busy this year, but we had ensured that it has been a peaceful and enjoyable solstice.
"There has been a great atmosphere and where else would you want to be on midsummer's day?"
Police drafted in extra officers and said there would be a zero tolerance approach to drugs and drunkenness, with an alcohol limit of four cans of beer or a bottle of wine per person imposed by English Heritage.
'Jovial mood'
Druid King Arthur Pendragon told the BBC shortly before sunrise: "It's a very nice atmosphere and everything's fine at the moment.Druid King Arthur Pendragon told the BBC shortly before sunrise: "It's a very nice atmosphere and everything's fine at the moment.
"There have been more police present this year, more security, but everything's passed off very jovially and everyone's in a good mood."There have been more police present this year, more security, but everything's passed off very jovially and everyone's in a good mood.
"And the police for the most part are wishing people a happy Solstice and so are the security guards.""And the police for the most part are wishing people a happy Solstice and so are the security guards."
English Heritage issued an advisory note to visitors which warned: "The police will be on site during the access period and will take immediate action against anyone flouting the law.English Heritage issued an advisory note to visitors which warned: "The police will be on site during the access period and will take immediate action against anyone flouting the law.
"Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse.""Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse."
Meanwhile, a limit of 200 tents was set at a field near the Avebury Ring after residents complained about the number of visitors to that site in 2008.Meanwhile, a limit of 200 tents was set at a field near the Avebury Ring after residents complained about the number of visitors to that site in 2008.
Are you celebrating the solstice? Did you go to Stone Henge today to mark the longest day? Send us pictures of your day there or let us know about your experience by filling in the form below. Are you celebrating the solstice? Did you go to Stonehenge today to mark the longest day? Send us pictures of your day there or let us know about your experience by filling in the form below.
Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions