BBC fury as charity tickets appear for auction on eBay

The BBC last night played down fears of a security lapse here after a pair of BBC tickets to the Open and a media car park pass - all donated by BBC Sport to a charity - found their way on to the auction website, eBay.

"This fantastic package gives you all-day access to the whole course," says the description by the vendor, who adds that the winning bidder will receive a tour of the BBC studio and commentary area and "the chance to meet the commentators and watch them in action". Photographs of the tickets - which look identical to BBC TV media passes - accompany the blurb.

Amid disquiet about the implications of a non-vetted member of the public being given privileged access to BBC facilities - and leading players - the BBC was locked in talks with its lawyers about how to get the auction stopped, or cancel the tickets. The prize being offered is for access to Sunday's concluding day's play here. By yesterday evening, it had attracted only two bids, with the highest standing at £200.

The BBC issued a statement to allay concerns that the tickets would have given the holders free rein to go anywhere. "The prize would never have allowed the winner unrestricted backstage access without them being accompanied by a member of BBC staff at all times," it said.

The prize was initially donated last September to the Helen Rollason Heal Cancer organisation, in memory of the late BBC presenter. It was bought at a charity auction for £2,000 by a man who then donated it to another raffle. The winner that time - a woman with no interest in golf - contacted the BBC and asked if she could give it to a family friend. The BBC agreed, subject to checks, but the tickets and parking pass prize have subsequently turned up on eBay.

"The BBC is extremely disappointed there is an attempt to sell this prize on the internet," the statement said.

All was not rosy elsewhere in Beebland last night, after the veteran commentator, Peter Alliss, arrived at his BBC hotel, the Quality Inn in Chester, and checked out shortly after checking in. "It evidently wasn't quality enough for him," a source said.