SOLSTICE revellers are being asked to use public transport ahead of the annual pagan celebrations at Stonehenge next Tuesday morning.

Thousands of people are expected to gather to watch the sun rise behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle, on the longest day of the year.

Both English Heritage and Wiltshire Police ask people to leave their cars behind and use public transport with Salisbury Reds putting on shuttle services throughout the night from Salisbury railway station and New Canal. Services start at 6.30pm on Monday and run frequently until 1.15am with return buses running from the visitor centre from 4am.

To promote the use of public transport a new £15 car parking charge has been introduced, which has led to "pay to pray" accusations from senior druid King Arthur Pendragon. Authorities this year have also banned alcohol which has also caused controversy among the pagan community. English Heritage say the reason behind the move is to make it a more family-friendly event.

Inspector Dave Minty of Wiltshire Police said: “We are pleased to have been working closely with English Heritage and other partners to ensure that access to Stonehenge over solstice will be a success. The roads around Stonehenge will be very busy and there is limited parking available on site. We advise anyone planning to come to Stonehenge for solstice to use public transport or car share.”

Access to Stonehenge for Summer Solstice is free of charge and subject to ‘Conditions of Entry’ which are published on the English Heritage website.

The solstice car park will open from 7pm on Monday, with last admission at 6am on Tuesday – or earlier if full. The car park must be vacated by midday. Sunrise is at 4.52am.

Kate Davies, general manager of Stonehenge, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming people to Stonehenge for a celebration of Summer Solstice. Stonehenge is a special place and this is a wonderful occasion for people to come together, as they probably have done for thousands of years, to celebrate the longest day of the year.

"As guardians of Stonehenge, it is our job to look after the monument. We ask all attending Summer Solstice to respect the stones and the people around you."