Perfect dawn greets solstice revellers (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Perfect dawn greets solstice revellers

Jumping for joy - one of the 21,000 revellers at Stonehenge for the summer solstice. 22/6/5AN estimated 21,000 people saluted the summer solstice sunrise at Stonehenge on Tuesday.

A wicker woman cavorted between a phalanx of flaming torches and, as the first flush of pink on the horizon turned to gold, a reveller climbed on top of one of the lintels and trumpeted the dawning of the longest day.

Inside the stone circle, cameras flashed and hundreds of mobile phone cameras relayed pictures of the celebrations across the world.

English Heritage had once again declared open house on the ancient stones for the summer solstice and was rewarded with an exuberant but orderly crowd and a perfect dawn at 4.58am.

Solstice regular Arthur Pendragon declared: "This is about as clear as it gets - it was certainly worth the wait."

He joined Arch Druid of Stonehenge and Britain Rollo Naughfling and a few dozen druids in calling for peace in the world and success at the G8 conference in clearing the African debt burden.

Wiltshire police reported only eight arrests for a variety of minor drugs and public order offences.

Police spokesman David Taylor said: "We consider the general conduct of a crowd this size to be exemplary.

"The car parks were opened earlier and stewards got the cars in more quickly."

Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: "We are very pleased to be welcoming people to Stonehenge once again to enjoy the summer solstice.

"This builds on the considerable success of the celebrations in previous years."