One Direction Fans Could Be Refused Gig Entry

One Direction's young fans who have bought tickets for the first date of their tour next month are being warned they could be turned away.

Strict age limits at Sunderland's Stadium of Light mean under 12s will not be allowed to enter on May 28 if they have bought a standing ticket.

And anyone under the age of 16 must be with an adult.

Sunderland AFC, which plays at the venue, says the restrictions are in force to ensure fans are safe and stewards will turn anyone away who has the wrong ticket.

Under-12s will be only allowed in seated areas, and fans are advised to carry ID with their age, particularly if they look younger than they are.

The Where We Are world tour sold out in a matter of minutes and some fans may have failed to notice the restrictions in the clamour to buy a ticket.

Anyone with the wrong one is advised to contact their booking agent.

The stadium shows are a step up from the arena dates the band played last year on their Take Me Home tour.

The head of security and safety at Sunderland, Paul Weir, said: "The age restrictions are laid down by the promoter to ensure the safety of everyone attending the show, which is a very different dynamic to anything we have staged at the Stadium of Light previously.

"The GA (general admission) pitch standing area is not a suitable environment for under 12s and anyone who doesn't meet the age requirements will not be allowed to enter the stadium. We would advise fans to check their tickets carefully in advance to avoid any issues on the day."

One Direction, made up of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne, are playing eight dates in the UK in May and June, including three nights at Wembley Stadium.