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| Stonehenge revellers mark summer solstice | Stonehenge revellers mark summer solstice |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Thousands of people have gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice despite overcast skies. | Thousands of people have gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice despite overcast skies. |
| Cloud cover meant pagans and druids were unable to witness the sunrise on the longest day of the year. | Cloud cover meant pagans and druids were unable to witness the sunrise on the longest day of the year. |
| Wiltshire Police said despite the rain it had been a "positive experience" for most revellers. | Wiltshire Police said despite the rain it had been a "positive experience" for most revellers. |
| Officers made 34 arrests for theft, drugs or alcohol-related offences and more than 100 people received cautions for cannabis use or possession. | |
| A further three people were arrested at the stone circles at Avebury, which is about 22 miles (37km) away from Stonehenge. | |
| A spokeswoman said: "As with every year, sadly there was a small minority who were determined to disregard the law. These people were dealt with robustly." | A spokeswoman said: "As with every year, sadly there was a small minority who were determined to disregard the law. These people were dealt with robustly." |
| BBC reporter Will Walder said thousands of people had braved the overnight rain to gather at Stonehenge. | BBC reporter Will Walder said thousands of people had braved the overnight rain to gather at Stonehenge. |
| "It was wet, misty and muddy but there was an atmosphere that something really special was about to happen. | "It was wet, misty and muddy but there was an atmosphere that something really special was about to happen. |
| "People were whistling and cheering and then falling silent before starting again. | "People were whistling and cheering and then falling silent before starting again. |
| "Tambourines and drums were being played but then at 4:52 am people were looking from left to right to try to see the sun and had to resort to watches and mobile phones to mark the moment," he added. | "Tambourines and drums were being played but then at 4:52 am people were looking from left to right to try to see the sun and had to resort to watches and mobile phones to mark the moment," he added. |
| One of the revellers, Dave, said he had been on site since 22:00 BST on Wednesday with his friends. | One of the revellers, Dave, said he had been on site since 22:00 BST on Wednesday with his friends. |
| He said it was the first time he had been to Stonehenge. | He said it was the first time he had been to Stonehenge. |
| "I'm really wet and I'm soaked to the bone but its magical - it's lovely." | "I'm really wet and I'm soaked to the bone but its magical - it's lovely." |
| English Heritage said the heavy overnight rain meant it was one of the lowest attendances in recent years. | English Heritage said the heavy overnight rain meant it was one of the lowest attendances in recent years. |
| "However the rain did stop in time for the sunrise ceremonies and although clouds obscured the sun, loud cheers and applause rang out amongst the ancient stones," a spokesman said. | "However the rain did stop in time for the sunrise ceremonies and although clouds obscured the sun, loud cheers and applause rang out amongst the ancient stones," a spokesman said. |
| "There was torrential rain at some points during the evening, but it stopped and although it was cloudy, it didn't rain for sunrise. | "There was torrential rain at some points during the evening, but it stopped and although it was cloudy, it didn't rain for sunrise. |
| "It has been the wettest and dare I say the muddiest in recent years." | "It has been the wettest and dare I say the muddiest in recent years." |
| A 22ft (6.7m) figure, called Ancestor, was moved to the stones ahead of the solstice celebrations. | A 22ft (6.7m) figure, called Ancestor, was moved to the stones ahead of the solstice celebrations. |
| The seven tonne steel statue depicts a man with his "head thrown back and arms open wide". | The seven tonne steel statue depicts a man with his "head thrown back and arms open wide". |
| After the solstice it will be dismantled and taken to Salisbury for the Olympic torch event. | After the solstice it will be dismantled and taken to Salisbury for the Olympic torch event. |
| As with previous years, there were amnesty bins available outside the event and drugs dogs were at both Stonehenge and Avebury. | As with previous years, there were amnesty bins available outside the event and drugs dogs were at both Stonehenge and Avebury. |
| Entry to the monument in Wiltshire will be closed until 09:00 BST on Friday. | Entry to the monument in Wiltshire will be closed until 09:00 BST on Friday. |