Live 8 releases 55,000 more London tickets

LONDON, June 27 (UPI) -- Live 8 promoter Bob Geldof Monday announced the release of 55,000 new tickets for the July 2 concert in London's Hyde Park.

A text message lottery already gave away 150,000 tickets to the concert, which is being held before the start of the G-8 summit in Scotland to raise awareness of world poverty.

"This is going to be the biggest event in Hyde Park's history and the biggest ticketed event ever in the U.K.," Geldof said.

The Times of London said pairs of tickets will be handed out at various locations in London and elsewhere in Britain.

Acts performing in London include U2, Robbie Williams, Paul McCartney, REM and Madonna.

Concerts also are planned Saturday in Berlin, Johannesburg, Paris, Rome, Philadelphia, Tokyo and Toronto.