BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In Pics: Winter Solstice

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12:32 GMT, Sunday, 21 December 2008

In Pics: Winter Solstice

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About 1,900 people gathered at Stonehenge in Wiltshire to celebrate the shortest day of the year.

Crowd gather at Stonehenge

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Druids, pagans and tourists gathered at 0800 GMT to see the sun rise.

Pagans and druids celebrate Solstice

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The pagan tradition is also known as Yule and is one of the oldest winter celebrations.

Woman with fairy wings at Stonehenge

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The Druids (Celtic priests) would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing.

Group lie on the floor at Stonehenge

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An announcement over plans to build a £20m visitor centre has been put back until January because of a disagreement over the centre's exact location.

Man hugging a stone

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The disagreement is between English Heritage and The National Trust.

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Related to this story:
Hundreds celebrate shortest day (21 Dec 08 | Wiltshire )