Thousands descend on Stonehenge to watch summer solstice sunrise

Litter pickers have been clearing up after visitors to Wiltshire's Stonehenge, who went to the ancient site to watch the summer solstice sun rise.

Thousands of pieces of rubbish were left at the site. English Heritage says it had anticipated the mess, with so many people cramming into a small space.

Many sun-worshippers said the sunrise was one of the best they had seen at Stonehenge for many years. Richard Slee reports:

23,000 people went to Stonehenge to watch the summer solstice sunrise this morning but the General Manager of the site, Kate Davies, says that is fewer than she was expecting.

She says the weather forecast prior to the event may have put some people off:

She added that the celebration was a calm and peaceful one that passed off with relatively few problems.

Visitors who flocked to Stonehenge for the summer solstice this morning have spoken of their surprise that the sunrise was so spectacular.

Many had expected cloud and rain to spoil the view. Some visitors to the ancient site said this year's solstice sunrise was one of the best they had seen:

Thousands of revellers have enjoyed sunrise at Stonehenge for the annual summer solstice celebrations.

As drums beat and camera phones were pointed at the historic monument, the sun appeared over the horizon at 4.52am, bathing the Wiltshire countryside in a reddy glow.