LOCOG says it is committed to making London 2012 affordable and accessible to the public. (2010 Getty Images)

People are being urged to register their interest in tickets for the 2012 Olympics, as the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) promises more tickets for British fans.

Earlier this month LOCOG had been under pressure to clarify details over ticket allocation as rumours spread that Britons would have limited access to tickets with sponsors being given large allocations, as well as a high percentage to be distributed abroad.

Yesterday’s announcement by LOCOG sought to alleviate concerns. The committee has promised that more tickets will be available – 8 million instead of 7.7 million; more tickets will also be available for the Paralympic Games – 2 million instead of 1.5 million; 75% of tickets will be available to the public via the balloting process; and just 1% of tickets on sale will be available as Prestige hospitality tickets.

LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton said that the success of the recent winter Olympics had spurred the committee on to kick start its plans for London 2012: “This is our first major announcement on ticketing and we commit to updating again later this year, with more information around pricing. Right now, we’re asking people to sign up on the ticketing website and make sure they’re in the front row for information.”

People are being encouraged to visit the 2012 ticket website to sign up and register their personal details. They will also get the opportunity to specify their preferred choice of events. LOCOG says that by signing up now it will save the public time when tickets finally go on sale in 2011.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson is urging people to sign up: “Today is another important stepping-stone on the journey to the 2012 Games, confirming that tickets will be on sale in spring 2011.

“I want to encourage as many Londoners as possible to sign up for information so that they are kept fully up to date on progress and are poised to purchase tickets once they go on sale.”

Visit www.tickets.london2012.com to sign up and register your interest.