ADVANCE ticket sales for this weekend's International Oliver Cromwell Jazz Festival in Upton have beaten all records in the event's 17-year history.
Thousands have been snapped up in advance of the three-day event, which starts today (Friday).
Organiser "Sir" Alan Buckley put the soaring sales figures down to the extensive television coverage of last year's show.
He said the last time highlights of the event were featured on national and regional TV channels eight years ago, ticket sales were also up the following year.
"It's very, very good," he said. "The more weekend tickets we sell the better, because you do not get a quiet Friday or Sunday.
"Sales have been right up since the beginning. There's only been one month when the sales were average."
Mr Buckley said that the box office experienced a "surge" on sales after England lost to Brazil in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last Friday (June 21), as disappointed fans resigned themselves to the fact they will not be watching Beckham and co play in the final on Sunday (June 30).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article