Druids celebrate as Stonehenge makes 'seven wonders' shortlist

Fifty Druids have gathered at Stonehenge 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.

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 next year in Lisbon, Portugal, which is 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.

"People of England, it is now your turn to be heard. Support Stonehenge to become one of the New Seven Wonders of the World."

The 21 finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World:

1 Acropolis, Athens, Greece

2 Alhambra, Granada, Spain

3 Angkor, Cambodia

4 Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

5 Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

6 Colosseum, Rome, Italy

7 Easter Island Statues, Chile

8 Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

9 Great Wall, China

10 Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

11 Kyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan

12 Kremlin/St.Basil's, Moscow, Russia

13 Machu Picchu, Peru

14 Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany

15 Petra, Jordan

16 Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

17 Statue of Liberty, New York, USA

18 Stonehenge, Amesbury, United Kingdom

19 Sydney Opera House, Australia

20 Taj Mahal, Agra, India

21 Timbuktu, Mali

Copyright Press Association 2006.