Tickets on sale for Elton John's Shrewsbury show

Thousands of Sir Elton John fans jammed switchboard telephone lines and internet sites today as tickets went on sale for his concert at Shrewsbury Town's Greenhous Meadow Stadium on June 12.

Ben Martin, spokesman for concert promoter Marshall Arts, said: "The people of Shrewsbury and Shropshire have taken Sir Elton to their hearts.

"The ticket sale has opened as we'd hoped it would; which is to say, there is very strong demand for the concert."

People from across Europe were trying to get their hands on tickets, which went on sale at 9am and were priced £35, £50 and £75.

Mr Martin added: "We will have updated sales figures later on, though it is impossible to give an accurate account presently as the situation is changing by the second as more and more people buy them. I would simply say we are very pleased by the response to the concert. It is exactly the reaction we'd hoped for and Sir Elton is clearly very, very popular among the people of Shrewsbury and Shropshire."

Hospitality packages are also available by calling (01743) 289177 or e-mailing events@shrewsburytown.co.uk

Sir Elton has never previously performed in Shrewsbury, although he has played concerts at other football stadia and concert arenas across the Midlands.