FIFTY Druids gathered at Stonehenge today to celebrate its inclusion on a global shortlist to decide the seven wonders of the modern world.
The 5,000-year-old landmark on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, is one of 21 finalists.
Today, Bernard Weber, founder of the Swiss-based group New7Wonders, which is organising the worldwide poll, presented Peter Carson, English Heritage's Stonehenge director, with an official candidate's certificate.
Meanwhile, robed Druids, led by Rollo Maughfling, the archdruid of Stonehenge, performed a Samhain ceremony, a Pagan precursor to Halloween that marks the end of summer.
Flying overhead was New7Wonders' hi-tech airship, currently on a world tour to visit all 21 sites in the final.
The results of the poll will be announced on July 7 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal, considered a neutral venue as the country has no contending landmark of its own.
Twenty million votes have already been received, including many from India (Taj Mahal), China (Great Wall) and Peru (Machu Picchu).
European voters have been slow off the mark by comparison, said Tia Viering, spokeswoman for New7Wonders.
She said votes could be made online, at www.new7wonders.com, and via text message to the number 61188.
"Apart from the Pyramids, the seven ancient wonders of the world no longer exist,'' she said.
"People of England, it is now your turn to be heard. Support Stonehenge to become one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.''
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