Rochdale MP joins Olympic ticket row

Empty seats are seen during the Artistic Gymnastics team qualification at the North Greenwich Arena, London Credit: PA

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has joined the Olympic ticket row, claiming only southerners will benefit from the release of extra tickets.

The Labour MP said while the sale of tickets for empty seats at Games venues will benefit locals in London, it is unlikely the rest of the UK will be able to take up the opportunity.

"We were promised these games would be inclusive and reach out to all corners of the UK," he said.

"Yet the reality is those who will benefit from the release of further tickets are Londoners.

"People in the north who were unable to get tickets first time round will feel hard done by."

Sparse crowds at some events on the first day of the Games led to questions for the organisers Locog.

Thousands of unused tickets were made available online as Locog tried to tackle the issue.

These are being made available each evening for the next day's events, but last-minute train tickets to London from the Midlands, the north or Scotland can cost hundreds of pounds.

Empty seats in the stands during the Olympic Games Group B match between Switzerland and Gabon. Credit: PA