A CAMPAIGN has been launched to bring back a summer solstice festival to Stonehenge after more than 25 years.

Paul Hegarty travels from his home in London to Stonehenge four times a year and he is behind the campaign to see a legal, organised festival on land next to the ancient stones.

“We want to see the return of a festival site. Stonehenge is getting a lot of people turning up for the summer solstice, between 15,000 and 30,000, and the site just isn’t big enough,” he said. “We want to see the return of a more communal festival,” he said.

Mr Hegarty, 45, is currently in talks with English Heritage and the National Trust, who own the land, about whether or not it’s possible.

He said: “I’m waiting for something positive to come back and I would like to gauge the feelings of local people.”

The last solstice festival took place at Stonehenge in 1985 and it was stopped by police following rioting and violence but Mr Hegarty says after 26 years it is time for a legal, organised, licensed festival site.

He is asking for people to write to him with their thoughts to 725 Hobart House, Wandsworth Road, London, SW8 2JB.