Rush For Mandela Gig Tickets

Tickets are now available for Nelson Mandela's special London concert to mark his 90th birthday.

Tickets went on public sale at 9am on Friday 9th May at www.livenation.co.uk

A total of 46,664 tickets will be issued - that figure is significant because it was his prisoner numnber when he was in jail.

The former South African president, who has retired from public life, will be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of pop and politics at the Hyde Park event.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former US President Bill Clinton, talk show queen Oprah Winfrey and British Formula One star Lewis Hamilton are among those expected to attend.

An eclectic line-up of performers at the concert on June 27 is set to include Queen, the Sugababes, Dame Shirley Bassey, Razorlight, Jamelia and two of the Corrs.

Proceeds will go to Mr Mandela's 46664 campaign which raises awareness about Aids in Africa and elsewhere, taking its name from the former president's prison number during his captivity on Robben Island.

A total of 46,664 tickets will be issued.

The gathering will also tie in with the 20th anniversary of the June 1988 Free Mandela concert in London.