Two-thirds of Pride tickets still need to be sold – with just weeks to go until the event.

Last week organisers announced X Factor winner Joe McElderry will headline the live stage at the Preston Park event on August 13 alongside 80s pop icon Sonia.

So far only a third of the 51,000 tickets have been sold or donated to local charities.

However bosses say they are pleased with ticket sales so far and added that they expect the figures to “rise significantly”.

It is the first time Pride has charged for tickets, with organisers saying it would make the event safer.

Although it will now be on a smaller scale, the cost of putting on the event has more than doubled to about £550,000 because of extra costs, including paying for security staff and fencing.

Sales have slowed following an initial rush after the release of early bird tickets, when nearly 8,000 were sold to Sussex residents in just three weeks.

Russell Allen, chairman of Pride Brighton and Hove, said: “We are proud and delighted to announce that to date approximately a third of tickets for the Pride park event in Preston Park on August 13 have gone.

“With a month to go, ticket sales are increasing daily and we expect these figures to continue to rise significantly.

“We have always anticipated that many people will buy tickets on the day but we would like to reiterate to the public that buying a ticket in advance will not only save you £5 but will fast track you into the event.

“Ticketing the Park event was a condition of us gaining landlords consent and we are working round the clock to ensure that this year’s park experience will be a spectacular day of entertainment for all.”

Tickets are £12.50 for adults, £8.50 for under-18s, under-12s free (when booked with an adult ticket) in advance. Tickets bought on the day will be £17.50.

To buy go to www.ticket line.co.uk/prideinbrighton-andhove-tickets, call 0844 8889991 or visit Prowler in Kemp Town.