Good behaviour, good weather and having a good time is how the police want Wednesday's overnight solstice celebrations to go off, said Insp Ron Peach of Marlborough police.

He said there have been a series of planning meetings with the National Trust, English Heritage, Avebury Parish Council and the Pagans who regard the midsummer sunrise as a major event on their religious calendar.

Hundreds of people are expected to begin gathering in the centre of Avebury on Wednesday with the numbers building up as nightfall approaches and most people gather in the stone circle quadrant opposite the Red Lion pub in the hopes of seeing the sun peep over the horizon at 4am on Thursday.

This quadrant, on the east side of the Swindon-Devizes road, is where the all-night activity is always concentrated with singing and dancing, drumming and fire juggling.

Police numbers are to be reduced, said Insp Peach, the Marlborough and Devizes area commander, because there were fewer people attending the event last year which was also mid-week.

Insp Peach said: “Because of the reduced numbers and the good behaviour of those attending last year’s summer solstice celebrations at Avebury, and it being mid-week again this year, we were able to reduce policing numbers to a minimal degree and we will be doing the same again.

“Last year’s was a good event with a great atmosphere and we hope this year’s will be the same.”

However the inspector warned that the use of illegal drugs would still not be tolerated and that officers with drugs dogs would be on patrol throughout the night.

He said: “There will be amnesty bins where people can put any illegal drugs but if people are caught using them then they will be dealt with robustly.”

Inspector Peach asked people to obey the no-parking signs and to use the car parks or use public transport to get to Avebury. “Any vehicles parked in positions where they cause an obstruction will be towed away and the owners will have to pay to get them back,” he warned.

There will be restricted camping in the village’s main car park and all tents, caravans and campervans will have to be removed by Thursday evening.