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Stonehenge set for record crowd Stonehenge crowds face gridlock
(about 4 hours later)
The Summer Solstice is likely to be welcomed in by a record crowd at Stonehenge, police have said. Roads around Stonehenge have become gridlocked as thousands of people travel to the site to celebrate the Summer Solstice.
Thousands of people are expected at the twin sites of Avebury and Stonehenge in Wiltshire to celebrate the longest day. English Heritage, which manages the ancient monument, has appealed for revellers not to drive to Stonehenge as the car parks are full.
Last year's total of 30,000 revellers could be exceeded, with police warning of a zero tolerance approach to drugs and drunkeness. Earlier, Wiltshire Police said they expected record numbers for the event.
At Stonehenge, English Heritage has imposed an alcohol limit of four cans of beer or a bottle of wine per person. Last year 30,000 revellers celebrated the Solstice at Stonehenge while others crowded the nearby Avebury Ring.
A limit of 200 tents has been set at a field near the Avebury Ring after residents complained about the number of visitors in 2008.
The event to mark the dawn of the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere has grown in popularity since a four-mile exclusion zone around the site was lifted nine years ago.The event to mark the dawn of the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere has grown in popularity since a four-mile exclusion zone around the site was lifted nine years ago.
Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs English Heritage Police for the most part are wishing people a happy Solstice and so are the security guards Druid King Arthur Pendragon
Last year 30,000 revellers celebrated the Solstice at Stonehenge, but police believe warmer weather and the fact that the event falls on a weekend will increase numbers further. Police have drafted in extra officers and warned warmer weather and the fact that the event falls on a weekend would increase numbers further.
An advisory note from English Heritage - which manages the ancient stone circle - warned: "The police will be on site during the access period and will take immediate action against anyone flouting the law. They also said there would be a zero tolerance approach to drugs and drunkeness.
An alcohol limit of four cans of beer or a bottle of wine per person has been imposed.
Druid King Arthur Pendragon told the BBC: "It's a very nice atmosphere and everything's fine at the moment.
"There have been more police present this year, more security, but everything's passed off very jovially and everyone's in a good mood.
"And the police for the most part are wishing people a happy Solstice and so are the security guards."
English Heritage issued an advisory note to visitors which warned: "The police will be on site during the access period and will take immediate action against anyone flouting the law.
"Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse.""Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse."
Wiltshire Police said they will adopt a "zero-tolerance" policy to crime and disorder. Meanwhile, a limit of 200 tents has been set at a field near the Avebury Ring after residents complained about the number of visitors in 2008.
Meanwhile, local businesses have been gearing up for one of their best trading periods of the year.
Kirsty Ayre, of the Red Lion pub in Avebury, said: "It's the busiest weekend of the year and the maddest as well.
"For a lot of these guys who come here throughout the year, this is their main event, their main ceremony, so it's very important for them, and it's very important to me."
Sunrise is at 0458 BST.