THE weather may not have been up to much but the annual Celtic festival of Beltain which is supposed to herald the start of summer certainly got the thumbs up.

Some 1,700 people converged on Butser Ancient Farm in Chalton, south of Petersfield, to usher in a successful growing season – and to see the giant Wicker Man burned as per tradition.

The 30 feet tall warrior, complete with spear and huge shield, was made by a team of volunteers led by Ryan Watts, an experimental archaeologist at the historic site.

"We had a really good crowd and it was a happy and relaxed atmosphere," said Mary Saunders, funding coordinator at Butser Ancient Farm.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.