Call for crackdown on touts using eBay

Ticket touts using online auction sites such as eBay are damaging the music industry, Wembley Arena bosses said today.

They have urged eBay to ban known touts and impose tighter controls on those selling tickets online.

"A totally false demand is being created - people are paying far more than they should for tickets because of these sites," said Peter Tudor, sales director at Wembley Arena.

"Touts are bulk-buying tickets when they are released, then selling them all online. Events will appear to be sold out when in reality touts have bought all the tickets to sell online."

Mr Tudor also claims the number of people being ripped off has risen in recent months. "We work with approved agencies to hold tickets for them but increasingly we find people turning up at the box office expecting to collect tickets that just don't exist."

He claimed one fan had been conned into paying ?1,000 to see Madonna's show but never received his ticket. However, eBay says its auction policies provide enough protection for buyers.