Tickets distributed at Deepwater

Shoppers at Deepwater Plaza have picked up 5000 tickets for the Gosford Olympic torch relay celebrations.

Mayor Cr Chris Holstein said 15,000 tickets were distributed within an hour of their release through three locations.

Five thousand tickets were also handed out at both Erina Fair and the Imperial Centre, Gosford.

"With more than 4500 performers, the remaining tickets are being distributed to the performers and volunteers and some to Gosford City retirement villages and senior citizen centres," said Cr Holstein.

"Although many people missed out on tickets, this was the fairest method of distribution.

"We trust people who were fortunate enough to get tickets will actually use them and not disadvantage other members of the community," he said.

"There are still plenty of opportunities to see the torch relay as it passes through Gosford on Monday, August 28, or even the following morning as it makes its way to Wyong."

Cr Holstein suggested people stay tuned for information about other community events accompanying the Olympic Torch Relay.

At the same time, Cr Holstein has threatened to prosecute anyone turning up to Grahame Park with copied tickets.

"Anyone who has copied tickets from the original is performing a criminal act.

"They'll be up for fraud and I'll have no problem reporting these people to the police and SOCOG.

"If anyone is even thinking of turning up with false tickets, they'll be apprehended.

"We have extra people on the gates looking out for these frauds.

"If you know someone has given you illegitimate tickets and you use them, you too will be up for fraud.

"I'm disgusted to think people would do such a despicable act.

"These criminals seem to think it's OK to disadvantage other members of the community who have done the right thing,

"We'll have the manpower at the gates checking for any copied tickets and we'll be onto them like a shot," said Cr Holstein.

August 14