BABIES were in danger of being trampled underfoot because of the irresponsible behaviour of parents at this summer's solstice celebrations at Stonehenge, it was revealed this week.

Drug and alcohol abuse was also said to be rife at the sunrise ceremonies, risking a return to the troubled times of the 1980s.

The drugs and drink problems have been highlighted by Mayor of Amesbury Neil Morrison, who said he was "desperately frightened" at the prospect and "terrified" at some of the things he saw when he attended the June 21 festivities.

This week, director of Stonehenge, Clews Everard, said Mr Morrison's comments were "fair" and there had been a minority group at this year's solstice who had behaved in a completely unacceptable way.

She spoke of young children left lying on the ground in sleeping bags and blankets while their parents went off to celebrate the dawn, putting the toddlers at risk of being trampled.

Mr Morrison was briefing Amesbury town council on a "round table" review of this year's event, involving English Heritage, representatives of the Druids, the travellers and the emergency services who attended this year's free opening of Stonehenge for the summer solstice celebrations.

Mr Morrison said there were many who felt the police were unable to monitor the monument properly because of the "animosity of those there" and he saw instances of "far too much alcohol about".

He went on: "The ambulance service was put at risk because of demands for syringes and needles from some of those there."

Mr Morrison said the 22,000 people who attended this year's festivities was "far too many".

He said: "It was a desperately frightening situation and it reminded me of the problems of the 1980s."