PEOPLE braved freezing temperatures to mark a yearly milestone.

Yesterday a group gathered at the stone circle at Avebury to celebrate the winter solstice.

It marks the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

This is due to earth’s tilt, which ensures that the shortest day of every year falls around December 21.

Known as Yule or winter solstice, the end of December is a traditional pagan holy day and Witches’ Sabbath.

Since ancient times people have marked the winter solstice with cultural and religious traditions.

Adver photographer Alan Owens was there to catch the moment as the sun rose at about 7.30am.

Mr Owens said: “I got there about 7am and it was cold and it was early.

“It’s easy to forget the important celebrations of other faiths when Christmas is so prevalent so it is interesting to see how Wiltshire’s Wiccans, druids and pagans mark their own yearly milestones.”