Tickets for the 2003 festival sold out in 24 hours

Scarletmist, set up by Richard Marks, a Glastonbury regular of 20 years, aims to beat the touts and remind people that the festival is a charitable event.

To date, about 100 tickets have been exchanged on the site - which is getting 70,000 hits a day.

The pace is expected to pick up as the festival approaches and tickets are issued.

Mr Marks, a hospital doctor, told BBC News Online: "I think that having created this resource, it would be useful for other events.

Positive feedback

"This year I will do Reading and Leeds, and maybe one other festival.

"The aim is to get the site recognised as a free resource throughout the festival-going community.

"It is particularly useful for people who want to sell a ticket quickly - and at short notice," he added.

He stresses that the site is not responsible for any tickets exchanged, but adds that user feedback has been positive.

"I have tried to make the tone of the site sympathetic, to put over the message that there are alternatives, but that people need to be realistic, he said.

The festival runs from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June, with the gates opening at 0900 BST on 25 Wednesday.