Stonehenge summer solstice celebrations see thousands gather Published duration 21 June 2014

media caption The crowds were treated to a glorious spectacle as the sun came up, as Scott Ellis reports, as Scott Ellis reports

An estimated 37,000 people gathered to watch the sun rise on the longest day of the year, with a small number of arrests reported by police.

Wiltshire Police said the 25 arrests were mostly for drugs-related offences.

Druids and pagans are among those who mark the summer solstice at sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury.

"We are pleased that the solstice celebrations have been enjoyable events for the majority of people attending," said a spokesman for Wiltshire Police.

image copyright AFP image caption A modern druid named Merlin stands as the sun rises at the prehistoric monument Stonehenge

image copyright Getty Images image caption Druids, pagans and revellers gathered at the monument to wait for the sunrise

image copyright AFP image caption Many waited patiently for the first rays of the sun to emerge on the horizon

image copyright Reuters image caption Some in attendance performed yoga en masse as the sun rose

image copyright Reuters image caption Others chose to adorn flamboyant Aztec costumes, along with smartphones

image copyright Getty Images image caption The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere

image copyright Getty Images image caption A forecast of clear skies brought thousands of people to the 5,000-year-old stone circle in Wiltshire

image copyright AFP image caption Some celebrated the rising of the sun more enthusiastically than others

The summer solstice or Litha - which means a stopping or standing still of the sun - has a long tradition of attracting people to monuments to witness the sun rising on the longest day.

Police said the road system had worked well with "minimum delays" and many people used public transport .

"It is always a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the event," said the spokesman.