DRUIDS and pagans celebrated the summer solstice by watching the sun rise over Oxfordshire's ancient Rollright Stones.

Crowds gathered for sunrise at 4.52am yesterday, the longest day of the year.

Clare Foxx Love travelled to the solstice with her partner John from Brighton and stayed up all night.

The 35-year-old said: "It was a really nice thing to be a part of.

"It's the first time I've come up here for it. We stayed up all night and I did a bit of a show with some LED hoops to pass the time and entertain.

"About 100 people were there throughout the night. It was so lovely, the atmosphere was really friendly."

"It was one of the best solstices I've been to."

Natalia Brown went with her seven-year-old daughter Iris.

She said: "It's the fifth year I have been. I call it my church, it's where I go to get my connection with the earth.

"It was very calm and friendly."

In Oxford swimmers went for an early morning dip at Hinksey Pool off Abingdon Road. The pool opened early to make the most of the longest day.