£46m will help raise the roof

Wimbledon chiefs have raised £46million with an oversubscribed issue of 2,300 debentures to help fund a roof for Centre Court.

The men's final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick was twice halted by rain but the retractable roof will not be in place until 2009.

The debentures were priced at £23,150 (nominal value £2,000, premium £18,000 and VAT £3,150), and entitle the holder to a reserved seat in Centre Court on each day of competition between 2006 and 2010.

Debentures, introduced in 1920, have been used to fund many improvements.