Thousands to make trip down to Stonehenge for Summer Solstice celebration

Crowds gather as dawn begins to break at Stonehenge, as thousands of people descended on the site to mark last year's summer solstice. Credit: PA

Thousands of people will be making their way to Stonehenge for tonight's summer solstice celebrations.>40,000 people saw in the longest day at the Wiltshire monument last year. This year though, there's anger that English Heritage will be asking visitors to pay £15 pounds to park at the site. It also wants the event to be alcohol-free.

WHAT IS SUMMER SOLSTICE?

Stonehenge is a unique monument built along the solstice alignment of the summer sunrise and winter sunset, where solstices may have been celebrated for thousands of years.

At midsummer, on the longest day of the year, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone - the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle from the ceremonial avenue - and rays of sun are channelled into the centre of the monument.

The sun rises above the horizon at Stonehenge in Wiltshire. Credit: PA

People have been warned to leave in good time as the roads around the site are expected to be very busy.

Sunrise is at 4.52am on Tuesday 21 June, the longest day of the year. Are you planning to attend? Send us your pictures westcountry@itv.com