Residents in and around Hastings who had been assured of tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry say they have had "considerable difficulty" obtaining the tickets.

The British Museum said that while residents were offered the chance to secure tickets before wider release, these were on a "first come, first served basis".

Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore told BBC Radio Sussex that the process has been "shambolic" and that the British Museum should put aside a batch of tickets for locals.

A British Museum spokesperson said: "All residents are still able to book tickets as part of the general sale on the 21 October."

The spokesperson added there will be a third opportunity when the next round of tickets are released in the new year.

Jenny, from St Leonards, told BBC Radio Sussex: "I phoned the number at 10:00 BST on Monday when they went on sale but it was engaged.

"When I managed to get through after an hour, I was on hold for two hours then cut off.

"I can't believe we had to phone up - it's such a shame, I'd have loved to have got priority tickets but now I'll have to try and get tickets like everyone else."

Dollimore added: "Residents were unable to get through or on hold for hours, trying to secure tickets only to be cut off before getting through to the box office.

"Why is it so hard for local residents of 1066 Country to get tickets, but so easy for billionaires to get exclusive private viewings?

"As a publicly funded museum, the British Museum has a responsibility to make sure the arts is for the many, not the few."

The British Museum said it is not financially feasible to set up an online platform for residents and it may exclude people, as well as the codes being vulnerable to be shared further.

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