Record crowds expected at The Open championship at Royal Birkdale

Huge crowds of more than 225,000 spectators are expected at The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale this week.

Based on advance sales, attendance is expected to surpass the previous record high of 201,500 at Royal Birkdale in 2008. This year's championship is the fastest selling in history.

Thousands more fans are still expected to buy tickets throughout the week meaning this year's event could find itself in the top four best attended in the championship's history.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The record number of spectators expected to attend Royal Birkdale this week underpins The Open’s reputation as one of the world’s great sporting events."

The number of young people attending the event is on the rise with more than 20,000 under 25s going this year. More than 10,000 youth tickets have also been sold as well as 10,000 under 16s who will go free of charge.

Many of those going to this year's championship will also camp out for the event at the nearby Victoria Park.