More than 10,000 'unscrupulous applications' were made for free tickets to this weekend's Ariana Grande benefit concert in Manchester, organisers have said.

Grande is returning to Manchester for the performance on Sunday, which comes less than a fortnight after 22 people were killed by a bomb attack after the popstar performed at the Manchester Arena.

A number of other high-profile acts - including Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Take That, and Niall Horan - will join Grande for the 'One Love Manchester' concert at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Tickets went on sale this morning, and are said to have sold out within 20 minutes.

In a statement quoted by BBC News, Ticketmaster said they had reserved more than 14,000 free tickets for those who were at last week's concert.

The company says: "More than 25,000 people applied for them. Sadly, over 10,000 unscrupulous applications have been made.

"At Ticketmaster we are doing everything we can - including extending today's deadline - to ensure that tickets go to the actual fans and not the opportunists or touts who have also been applying for free tickets."

The company has reassured fans who were at the show on May 22nd that they will receive a free ticket once their booking can be verified.

"We thank fans for their patience as we continue to process the registrations," the company adds.

Standard tickets for the concert cost £40 (€46), with all proceeds from ticket sales going directly to We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.