More than 700 people descended on Stonehenge yesterday to celebrate the winter solstice.

Pagans and druids, many dressed in weird and wonderful costumes, celebrated the shortest day of the year at the mysterious monument with traditional ceremonies.

Members of the public also visited the site, near Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, where the sunrise was obscured by a lingering fog.

The shortest day of the year often falls on December 21 but this year the druid and pagan community marked the first day of winter yesterday because the modern calendar of 365 days a year, with an extra day every four years, does not correspond exactly to the solar year of 365.2422 days.

Peter Carson, head of Stonehenge, said the event was a success.

"Although we didn't have a clear sunrise, Stonehenge was really looking picture-postcard perfect.

"We had about 700 people arrive and had a wonderful celebration of the winter solstice.

"Popularity of the winter solstice is growing because the significance of it in relation to Stonehenge is growing as we do more research and excavations.

"There is a better understanding that Stonehenge was a monument more significant at the winter rather than summer solstice."