London 2012 will donate over 3,500 tickets for schools and Greenwich University enabling at least one class of children from every school and college in the Borough to attend the events.

All Greenwich schools registered with the London 2012 Get Set Network education programme will automatically receive approximately 35 free tickets to the test events while a further 1,000 tickets will be available for local residents with Greenwich Council set to announce their distribution plans shortly.

The BEF will distribute 3,700 tickets to the equestrian sporting community across its World Class Performance Programme and across its member bodies to spread across the respective equestrian disciplines giving priority to potential 2012 athletes, horse owners and World Class Performance support staff with the remaining tickets split between each of the 18 BEF member bodies for them to distribute to their own members as they wish.

Recipients are likely to include potential 2012 volunteers, official supporters and suppliers of Team GB, Board members and staff, volunteers, organisers, under-21 team staff and young people.

They will be offered at no charge and by invitation with the exception of British Dressage and the Riding for the Disabled Association members who will be eligible to enter a member's only ballot.

"Our testing plans are an important part of preparing for the Games, delivering the equestrian competition carefully in this historic venue," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"Whilst our focus is on testing it is also a great way for local children, local residents and the equestrian sporting community to see first-hand what we will be doing and get a taste of the excitement next summer."

Concern has been raised by local residents about the impact of the events taking place during the London 2012 Games so the Organising Committee have moved to calm fears by announcing that a series of drop-in sessions will be held by in Greenwich Park where residents and Park users can ask questions about the test events and how this will affect the use of the Park, as well as information about the 2012 Games themselves.

The drop-in sessions will take place on May 12, 13 and 14.

The Thursday and Friday sessions will run from 10am to 8pm, and the Saturday session from 10am to 6pm.

They will be held in a gazebo tent outside the Pavilion Tea House.

Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, said: "These events will allow local residents and schoolchildren an early opportunity to experience the atmosphere of world class sporting events ahead of the Games proper next year.

"We will announce plans for the distribution of these tickets over the next few days in Greenwich Time and on our website."

Andrew Finding, chief executive of the BEF, said: "Our World Class Performance team will be doing all they can to get the most out of the test event from a sport and performance perspective ahead of the Games in 2012.

"Beyond this, our ticketing strategy also gives us scope to support our 18 member bodies and maximise the opportunity that this event presents to the wider equestrian community.

"Distributing the tickets in this way allows each organisation to identify their most worthy recipients and use them to educate and inspire, particularly young people, and recognise those who contribute to our sport, especially as volunteers."

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