Summer solstice 2018 at Stonehenge: Thousands across UK gather to celebrate spectacle as sun rises for longest day of the year

Crowds cheered as the sun rose at Stonehenge as thousands gathered to celebrate the summer solstice and longest day of the year.

Those who observed the spectacle at the neolithic Wiltshire monument were blessed with clear skies as the sun glinted over the horizon at 4.52am on Thursday.

English Heritage tweeted that it was the "perfect morning for the Summer Solstice sunrise at Stonehenge".

Up to 25,000 people were expected to attend the overnight celebration of the longest day of the year at the World Heritage Site.

On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle, and rays of sunlight are channelled into the centre of the monument.

It is believed that solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years.

Jennifer Davies, English Heritage's head of historic properties for Stonehenge, had asked for those attending to "respect the stones".

Visitors were urged to only take small bags and alcohol was not permitted.

English Heritage also asked that people either shared lifts or took public transport to reduce traffic and emissions.

In 2017 around 13,000 people attended Stonehenge for the summer solstice.

Wiltshire Police officers were also on hand at the event and armed officers were attending as "a precaution only".

Additional reporting from the Press Association.