Fans snap up Spice Girls tickets

The group won four Brits, including a lifetime achievement award

London's Spice Girls reunion concert has sold out in 38 seconds after fans were notified tickets had gone on sale, the show's promoters have claimed.

More than one million people in the UK registered for the concert, which takes place on 15 December at the O2 arena.

"It was a dramatic moment - the sales went live and there was a huge surge as fans bombarded the lines," said Ticketmaster's boss Chris Edmonds.

Three more London dates have been added to the tour. Tickets cost £55-75.

The shows will take place on 16 and 18 December 2007, and 2 January 2008.

Tickets for the additional dates are currently being sold to fans, who were alerted to the sales by text and e-mail.

And tickets for the 15 December gig are already appearing on eBay - with one pair advertised at £900.

The band's world tour kicks off in Canada on 2 December, and will visit San Jose, Shanghai and Cape Town.

The full line-up has not performed on stage since Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell quit in May 1998.

The reunion concerts have been put together by Simon Fuller, whose 19 company masterminded the group's global success more than a decade ago.

Under his guidance, the five-piece notched up a string of hits - including Wannabe and 2 Become 1 - while also capitalising on their fame with a stream of sponsorship deals.

Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Adams and Geri Halliwell quickly became household names - although they were better known as Baby, Scary, Sporty, Posh and Ginger.

They sold more than 55 million records around the world, and even starred in a film, Spice World.

Halliwell quit in 1998 citing "differences", leaving the band to complete a sold-out world tour as a foursome.

Since 2001 each member has since pursued solo careers with varying degrees of success, while Posh Spice has become better known as fashion icon Victoria Beckham.