Prince jazz gala tickets sell out

Prince last appeared at the Swiss event in 2007

Some 7,000 tickets for two Prince concerts at the Montreux Jazz Festival have been snapped up eight minutes after going on sale, say organisers.

Demand was high for the gigs on 18 July, despite tickets for standing room only being priced at 195 Swiss Francs (£111).

The musician's appearance at the gala was only confirmed last week.

He performed at Montreux, Switzerland in 2007, when 4,500 concert tickets were sold out within 10 minutes.

Ticket limit

Other performers due to play a series of concerts at the festival include the Black Eyed Peas, Grace Jones and Marianne Faithfull.

Wyclef Jean, who is standing in for former Fugees bandmate Lauryn Hill after she cancelled her European tour, will also appear.

The festival got under way at the end of last week, and will also feature Herbie Hancock making his 30th Montreux appearance.

Tickets for a seat at one of Prince's consecutive two concerts cost 480 Swiss Francs (£273), while a two ticket limit per person was imposed.