Organisers hit out at festival ticket 'scam'

Festival organisers and concert promoters have hit out at unofficial agencies that are failing to deliver tickets to fans.

It was reported yesterday that hundreds of fans were not given passes to last weekend's V Festival, despite paying SOS Master Tickets.

The online ticket shop has now gone offline and is under investigation by Islington Council.

Fans who purchased tickets to see George Michael at Earl's Court and this weekend's Reading and Leeds Festivals from the site are not expected to receive their purchases.

Michael's concert promoter Barrie Marshall told the BBC: "It's very upsetting for us because we can't accommodate these people.

"So it's just really sickening, and there's very little we can do with it except try to have people deal with legitimate ticket agents."

Several fans have claimed that they spent over £500 on VIP tickets from the site. Others revealed that they had already booked flights and accommodation to attend Michael's gig.

Reading and Leeds organiser Melvin Benn commented: "We work all year round hand in hand with the rest of the industry to combat these situations.

"We cannot possibly prevent individuals visiting and purchasing from sites like these that appear without warning, and usually disappear without warning too."