SUMMER solstice celebrations at Stone-henge next month are expected to be much more popular than last year.

Police estimate there were 23,500 people at the stones last year but because this year the solstice falls at the weekend numbers are expected to be higher.

To help counter any problems with young children police and English Heritage have persuaded Wiltshire County Council to put an experienced social worker on site this year.

According to a report to the council's cabinet there were some concerns last year.

"The stewards, who manage the event for English Heritage, and the police were concerned at the number of children left unattended during the evening and night," said a report produced by social services head Dr Ray Jones and other senior officers. Parti-cular examples quoted were children left on the ground near the stones in sleeping bags while their parents went into the stone circle for the celebrations.

"Some children were also in the care of adults who had either had too much to drink or were under the influence of drugs."

While the event takes place in Wiltshire it has a knock-on effect on neighbouring parts of Hampshire.

Last year Hampshire police carried out a high profile operation along the A303 designed to show they were alive to the possibility of solstice stragglers organising an illegal gathering at sites in Hampshire after the solstice.