Police UK tour tickets sell out in minutes

LONDON, Mar 9 (Reuters) Tickets for the first British tour in 24 years by 1980s supergroup the Police sold out within 30 minutes today.

The band have four concerts in Britain in September and October as part of the European leg of their world comeback tour -- Birmingham, London, Manchester and Cardiff.

''Birmingham and Manchester went first -- within 30 minutes I understand -- then Twickenham and Cardiff,'' said a spokeswoman for the band's publicist Regine Moylett Publicity.

The tickets, priced from 45 to 90 pounds for ordinary seats, went on sale by telephone and on the Internet at 0900 hrs.

The band -- Sting (Gordon Sumner), Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland -- last played a live concert in Britain on December 31, 1983 at London's Wembley Arena.

Formed in 1977, they rapidly gained a worldwide following with hit albums like Outlandos d'Amour in 1978 and Reggatta De Blanc a year later.

Synchronicity, released in 1983, sold more than eight million copies and is widely regarded as their best album.

During their years together, the Police also had a succession of hit singles and received six Grammy Awards, but split up after Synchronicity to pursue solo careers as tensions grew.

REUTERS DKA RAI2006