Coe makes pledges on 2012 tickets

Coe wants as many people as possible to see the Games

Sebastian Coe has promised that the 2012 Olympic Games in London will provide affordable tickets and a crackdown on ticket touts.

Lord Coe, the chairman of the London organising committee, delivered the pledges to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee at the House of Commons.

Half of the eight million tickets put on sale will be priced at £20 or less.

Coe assured MPs that "making sure people have access at sensible prices" would be a priority.

Meanwhile, steps will be taken to prevent ticket touts cashing in on the Games.

Coe's deputy, Keith Mills, said: "There is an active and thriving black market in every city in the world for sporting tickets and we have to stop the abuse.

"There are some exciting electronic solutions coming through and these things are possible to stop or at least minimise."

And spectators who cannot get to the events will be able to watch them on giant screens in parks around the country.

Coe also revealed that the London bid came in under budget and that the £1.4m surplus would be returned to stakeholders.

And the double Olympic 1500m champion reiterated that his team were determined to deliver the Olympics within budget.

"This represents a significant saving of public funds and we will strive to bring the same discipline to the financing of the Games," he said.