2012 Olympic organisers announce ticket increase

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LONDON, Mar 22 (AFP): London 2012 Olympic organisers have increased the number of tickets available to the public by 300,000 to eight million.
In their first major announcement on ticketing, the London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) revealed the increase in the number of tickets from 7.7m to 8m and a rise of 500,000 to 2million for the Paralympics.
LOCOG also revealed 75 per cent of tickets, which will go on sale from spring 2011, will be available directly to the public via a ballot with pricing details to be issued later this year.
A 'sign up' registration scheme has been launched issuing more information to the public about the process of applying for tickets next year.
LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton said on Monday: "Right now, we're asking people to sign up on the ticketing website and make sure they're in the front row for information.
"Ticket sales make up a significant part of our income, but at the same time we are completely committed to ensuring our events are accessible, that tickets are affordable and that our venues are packed to the rafters with sports fans."
Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister, said: "Watching an Olympic event in your home country is a once in a lifetime experience”.