Chairman of the Association of Secondary Ticket Agents (ASTA), Graham Burns, has urged consumers “only to buy tickets on the internet from accredited suppliers or legitimate ticket brokers who have signed up to the ASTA Code of Conduct.”

His advice came shortly after the website www.paperticket.co.uk was closed down by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Computer Crime Unit, under the Proceeds of Crime Act, last week after selling tickets at abnormally low prices and, in many cases, failing to supply customers with their purchases.

The ASTA (which represents over 50 ticket brokers) believes that support is needed from the Government in order to protect consumers in the future. People who have bought tickets from the site are encouraged to call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06, or visit the website www.governmentdirect.org.uk .