HUNDREDS of people attended Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge overnight, despite official advice asking them not to travel to the site in line with Covid restrictions.

As a result English Heritage pulled a live feed of the sunrise at the neolithic monument in Wiltshire at 04:52 BST due to safety concerns.

People were seen climbing over a low fence to access the stones.

English Heritage said: "They were there for a short time before dispersing, and this did interrupt - for a short period - the live stream.

"The Covid-19 restrictions were extended for a reason and it was disappointing to see – during a pandemic – people act in a way that put themselves, our staff and the police at risk."

Despite this, Wiltshire Police said the event passed "peacefully".

Just one arrest was made close to Avebury of a woman in her 50s on suspicion of drunk and disorderly behaviour.

She has since been released with no further action.

In a statement the force said: While we also had to take the difficult decision to close part of the Ridgeway near Avebury for public safety, the Solstice weekend was peaceful with only a minor incursion into the stone circle at Stonehenge in the early hours of this morning, which was handled in a positive manner."

For the second year running, English Heritage live-streamed the occasion from the ancient monument to more than 200,000 people around the world.

Nichola Tasker, English Heritage’s director for Stonehenge said: “It was a mild morning and a rather cloudy sunrise but we could tell from the online comments that people were enjoying the virtual solstice beaming into their homes from Stonehenge.

"It was very heartening to see so many people from around the world wishing each other a happy solstice. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back in person next year. ”

In normal years, the summer solstice celebrations attract upwards of 10,000 people to Stonehenge. With last week’s news that the Government was delaying the lifting of the remaining Covid-19 restrictions and following discussions with Wiltshire Council’s Public Health team and Wiltshire Police, English Heritage took the decision to cancel the planned celebrations.