MICHAEL EAVIS has written an open letter to festivalgoers assuring them that ticket sales this year will be smoother than last.

In a posting on the official Glastonbury website, the farmer says that an improved online system, a weekend on sale date and a new ID card system will ensure that tickets sales will be as fair as possible.

Eavis wrote: “Last year buying festival tickets was very difficult and a lot of people were disappointed. The same number of tickets will be available for us to sell this year – so if the worldwide demand for tickets is similar to 2004, unfortunately there will again be more people disappointed than successful. We have spent a lot of time looking at different ways of selling Festival tickets to reduce the problems that people had last year. We considered many radical options, but have decided that improving our existing system is the best way forward.”

These ‘radical options’ included a lottery-style system or an annual rota that would stop people attending the festival for two years running.

Eavis continued: “What I can promise you is that we will have tested and re-tested the improved online system, so people should not be left in limbo this year. You will be informed if you cannot enter the system, if it is too busy, and you will receive confirmation when the sale goes through. By having the sale on Sunday, I am assured the problems that the telephone exchange faced last year will not be repeated. I have arranged more than twice the number of operators to be there to take your calls.

“Last year we attempted to tackle the number of people selling on tickets for profit by requiring you to show some photo ID at the turnstiles. It was very successful, so we are taking the next step and requiring you to provide photo ID this year – but don’t worry – it need not cost you anything as we can arrange a free card for you. I really think this is a positive move forward to stop unscrupulous people and companies touting tickets.”

Tickets for Glastonbury 2005 go on sale at 9am on Sunday 3 April, and cost £125 plus £4 booking fee and £4 postage and packing.