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0162587 - Members of the general public have celebrated sunrise at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England for the first time in 15 years.
An estimated 5,000 people gathered at the sacred site in Wiltshire for the midsummer's day sunrise which took place at 0444 BST.
Police say there were only five arrests in what was largely described as a trouble-free event.
A spokeswoman for English Heritage which owns the site said the event was a success.
"We are very happy that a lot of people came along and it was a happy and peaceful atmosphere.
"The fact that it's gone so well means that we will be looking at more arrangements in the future," she said.
Revellers packed the centre of the stone circle and were entertained by students from the University of East London with their colourful costumes and samba drums.
Druids in their traditional attire performed a ritual ceremony a short distance away.
The only disappointment at the celebrations was the weather - not a ray of sunshine in sight.
The site has been protected by a four-mile exclusion order during the summer solstice since the 1980s, following a series of public order problems.
This year, both members of the public as well as religious groups were given access to the ancient monument.
Newxxxx
Picture downloaded from Pressnet. No archive rights. No third party distribution or resale.
Credit: TopFoto.co.uk
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![Members of the general public have celebrated sunrise at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England for the first time in 15 years. <br>An estimated 5,000 people gathered at the sacred site in Wiltshire for the midsummer's day sunrise which took place at 0444 BST. <br>Police say there were only five arrests in what was largely described as a trouble-free event. <br>A spokeswoman for English Heritage which owns the site said the event was a success. <br>"We are very happy that a lot of people came along and it was a happy and peaceful atmosphere. <br>"The fact that it's gone so well means that we will be looking at more arrangements in the future," she said. <br>Revellers packed the centre of the stone circle and were entertained by students from the University of East London with their colourful costumes and samba drums. <br>Druids in their traditional attire performed a ritual ceremony a short distance away. <br>The only disappointment at the celebrations was the weather - not a ray of sunshine in sight. <br>The site has been protected by a four-mile exclusion order during the summer solstice since the 1980s, following a series of public order problems. <br>This year, both members of the public as well as religious groups were given access to the ancient monument. <br>Newxxxx<br><br><br>Picture downloaded from Pressnet. No archive rights. No third party distribution or resale.](../images/prevs/0162587.jpg "Members of the general public have celebrated sunrise at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England for the first time in 15 years. <br>An estimated 5,000 people gathered at the sacred site in Wiltshire for the midsummer's day sunrise which took place at 0444 BST. <br>Police say there were only five arrests in what was largely described as a trouble-free event. <br>A spokeswoman for English Heritage which owns the site said the event was a success. <br>"We are very happy that a lot of people came along and it was a happy and peaceful atmosphere. <br>"The fact that it's gone so well means that we will be looking at more arrangements in the future,\" she said. <br>Revellers packed the centre of the stone circle and were entertained by students from the University of East London with their colourful costumes and samba drums. <br>Druids in their traditional attire performed a ritual ceremony a short distance away. <br>The only disappointment at the celebrations was the weather - not a ray of sunshine in sight. <br>The site has been protected by a four-mile exclusion order during the summer solstice since the 1980s, following a series of public order problems. <br>This year, both members of the public as well as religious groups were given access to the ancient monument. <br>Newxxxx<br><br><br>Picture downloaded from Pressnet. No archive rights. No third party distribution or resale.")