Summer Solstice passes peacefully

Although the sun did not make an appearance as dawn broke in an overcast sky, around 36,500 people enjoyed the carnival atmosphere at the ancient stone circle on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire.

An eccentric mix of Morris dancers, pagans dressed in their traditional robes and musicians playing guitars and drums gathered alongside visitors from across the world.

The good weather and the fact that the solstice fell over a weekend drew in the crowds from around 7pm on Saturday night.

As the sun rose at 4.58am a cheer went up from those gathered at the stone circle to welcome the longest day.

Bleary-eyed revellers wrapped in blankets, ponchos, cloaks and bin liners joined together in song and dance in the centre of the stones and across the site.

English Heritage and Wiltshire police had anticipated the biggest turnout yet and had drafted in extra officers to patrol the site and to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and drugs.

Restrictions were placed on the amount of alcohol people could bring in, with security checks at the main entrance.

A pilotless police drone was used to monitor the site and drugs dogs carried out 300 searches, Wiltshire Police said.

But the event was a peaceful one with just 37 arrests for minor public disorder and drug-related offences.