REVELLERS joining in the Olympic torch celebrations at York Racecourse will need to pick up free tickets to the event.

City of York Council has announced that the racecourse event from 2.30pm on June 19 has become ticketed, to allow more people to join in.

The free tickets can be obtained from Visit York’s Visitor Information Centre on the corner of Museum Street and Blake Street, or from any York Explore Library Learning Centre, Acomb Explore on Front Street, Acomb, or Tang Hall Library on Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall. They will be available from 2pm on Friday, June 8.

Tickets will be limited to six tickets per applicant, all young people aged 14 years or under must be accompanied by an adult and admission will be by ticket only.

Coun Sonja Crisp, City of York Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “We’ve seen an incredible response to the Olympic Torch celebrations and this is testament both to the special event it is and the community spirit here in York.

“The event is now a free ticketed occasion to allow even more people to enjoy the celebrations and to share the excitement of the London 2012 Games; to enjoy a variety of entertainment organised by City of York Council with LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.”

On the day there will be sports demonstrations and interactive stands offering tasters of activities including basketball, cheer-leading, table tennis and equestrian sports.

The tickets will also allow access to the staged spectaculars and interactive presentations which will run from 5pm to 7.30pm and will feature the Olympic Torch completing the final leg of the day’s journey to the stage on horseback before lighting a special cauldron.

The party on York’s Knavesmire will feature Katy B, who has released a single with Mark Ronson to mark the Olympic celebrations.

The event will also see local African drumming groups Umbu and Calabash and the gospel sounds of the University of York’s choir Zamar.

There will be free car parking on the Knavesmire off Knavesmire Road and at Bustardthorpe off Bishopthorpe Road.

Spectators are urged to attend early and to avoid Tadcaster Road and the rolling road closures which will start from 5pm on the day.