Stonehenge general manager sought

Duties include overseeing arrangements for winter solstices

The prehistoric stones of Stonehenge are to be cared for by a general manager for the first time.

English Heritage says it needs "a dynamic and inspirational leader" to look after the site in Wiltshire.

Duties for the £65,000-a-year job include leading the Wiltshire monument's 180 staff and volunteers and liaising with druid leaders.

Other responsibilities include overseeing arrangements for summer and winter solstices.

'Brightest and best'

English Heritage's Tim Reeve said it was "important to ensure we keep the dignity of the stones".

"You could be up at the stones one minute, in outdoor garb trying to help visitors, then you can be back in a state-of-the-art visitors' centre," he added.

"The next time you could be in a suit, representing our site."

He said it was also important to make sure "solstice celebrations aren't in some way compromising the mystery and integrity of the stones".

English Heritage has called for only "the brightest and best" candidates to apply for the position.

The closing date for applications is 5 May.

Meanwhile, an excavation by volunteers on a shoestring budget has shown that the site of Stonehenge was a settlement 3,000 years before it was built.