Glastonbury tickets set for sale

8:23pm Thursday 21st August 2008

Organisers of the Glastonbury Festival have said tickets will go on sale for next year's event within the next two months.

Tickets for this year's festival, held in June, did not sell out until the Somerset event actually got under way.

It was the first time the festival had not sold out within minutes of tickets going on sale for years.

Poor 2008 ticket sales were blamed on a variety of factors including torrential rain at previous festivals, and the controversial appointment of New York rapper Jay-Z in the Saturday headline slot.

For the 2009 event held at founder Michael Eavis' Worthy Farm, in Pilton, revellers will have the option of putting down a £50 deposit when tickets go on sale on October 5.

Mr Eavis said: "We have come up with a scheme that will allow people a much longer period to plan and pay for their tickets, while still continuing the battle against ticket touting.

"By paying as little as £50 up front this year, our registered customers from all over the world will be able to guarantee a ticket for next year's event.

"At the same time, the very successful registration scheme will ensure that tickets will only go to those named individuals who have reserved them in advance."

Festivalgoers had to register personal details before purchasing tickets this year - a scheme introduced for the 2007 event.

Those who registered details for this year's festival will not have to do so again and anyone who has not registered their details yet will be able to do so from September 1.