Touts have hijacked a Will Young concert - snapping up hundreds of tickets to sell for profit on the internet.

The Pop Idol star's show in Brighton became the fastest-selling gig when tickets went on sale last week - all 1,584 had gone in two hours.

But now fans say many were bought by profiteers hoping to cash in on the singer's success.

Within hours of selling out, tickets - which cost £25 and £27.50 - were appearing for sale on internet auction site eBay for up to £225 a pair.

A spokeswoman for the venue said it had limited the number of tickets to six per buyer but agents employed by Will's promoters had not imposed any restrictions.

She said: "We are not happy about the situation and we did try to prevent it. Unfortunately Will Young's official web site offered tickets for sale using a company called Ticketmaster, which allows people to buy tickets over the phone and on the web.

"There is no limit to the number people can buy using this system and we fear many of the tickets being sold on eBay have been bought in this way."

Emma Curtis, 35, of Butchers Close, Angmering, near Littlehampton, was one of hundreds of Will fans left seething.

She said: "I think what's happening is ridiculous. I knew the concert would be popular but it would have been nice if all the tickets had at least gone to genuine fans."

Ms Curtis, who is studying creative writing and English at University College, Chichester, said the inflated prices were impossible for Will's large fanbase of youngsters to afford.

She said: "I saw a ticket going for £65 and put in a bid in desperation but the more I thought about it the more I didn't want to line the tout's pockets."

Ms Curtis believes more should be done to stop the touts.

She said: "I'm not in the music industry and I don't know what the solution could be but there must be some kind of system where the tickets are personalised or limited to two per person.

"I understand business is business but people have waited a long time for Will Young to come to Brighton and this is an awful way to treat them."

Will Young's spokesman said: "Tickets for Will's forthcoming tour were issued in two stages.

"A limited number of tickets were released initially for fan club members via Will's web site and the rest of the tickets were then released the following day.

"There has been huge demand and every intimate venue in which Will is performing sold out in just three hours.

"Tickets sold so quickly some fans are undoubtedly disappointed not to be able to attend.

"However, Will recently recorded Live With Will Young for Radio 2, which will be broadcast on Friday for everyone to enjoy.

"Meanwhile any fans not yet registered to his web site are welcome to log on to www.willyoung.co.uk where they can be kept updated of all his up-and-coming projects."