WILTSHIRE police are gearing themselves up for a major operation at Stonehenge for this year's solstice celebrations when an even bigger crowd than last year's 19,000 is expected.

The Glastonbury Festival kicks-off the day after the Stonehenge summer solstice, and police are anticipating many Glastonbury fans will stop-off on their way down to Somerset.

This year, English Heritage will be opening Stonehenge an hour earlier than usual on Wednesday, June 20, but other than that minor change, arrangements will follow the same pattern as the last few years.

The A344 will be closed to all traffic from 4pm on June 20 through to 4pm on June 21.

A police spokesman said Wiltshire police will be mounting a major operation again, supported by English Heritage, which will bring in its own private security personnel.

Using private security firms means Wiltshire police can reduce the number of officers they have attending the solstice, but the spokesman said there will be sufficient officers on duty to deal with any situation.

Police will also ensure there are no illegal festivals or raves set up in the vicinity of Stonehenge, either in the build-up to the solstice on June 21 or afterwards.

The spokesman added because Glastonbury opens on Friday, June 22, police are expecting a "substantial number of people" at Stonehenge, and "a lot higher than last year."