Solstice revellers celebrate a grey and wet midsummer dawn at Stonehenge (15Pics)

Around 14,500 people endured downpours as they welcomed the sun during the dawn pagan tradition at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. Every year, thousands descend upon the prehistoric monument on the longest day of the year but the weather afforded no respite from the soggy start to the season.

But despite the showers, the crowds watched the sun rise behind dark clouds at 4.52am and greeted it with loud cheers and applause

Druids Arthur and Caz Pendragon and (right) Lucy Horwood near the Healing Stone

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Musicians and drummers inside the ancient stone circle kept up their beat throughout the poor weather, with pagans dancing along to the rhythm in the rain

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury

Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn at Stonehenge near Salisbury