The BBC Proms are to go ahead at full capacity, including standing tickets for "Prommers", but with mask-wearing "strongly encouraged".

       Additional tickets go on sale on Friday – but there are restrictions. In order to enter the Royal Albert Hall, ticketholders will be required to present evidence of double vaccination, natural immunity based on a positive PCR test or a negative lateral flow test taken no more than 48 hours before a performance.

       Those under 18 will be allowed entry with verbal confirmation from a parent or guardian that they have not had a positive Covid test result.

       Proms organisers had been prepared to stage the concerts with a reduced capacity of only 1,000 if government restrictions were not lifted, but capacity audiences of nearly 5,000 will now be invited.

       "Promming" tickets will be available on the day of each concert, priced at ￡6, with standing tickets available in the arena and gallery and additional seated tickets in the choir.

       The BBC said: "The safety of our audiences is our main priority and we are taking every step we can to open the Proms safely without social distancing. To do this, audiences will be strongly encouraged to wear masks for the duration of their visit and their Covid status certification will be checked on arrival at the Royal Albert Hall."

       The Proms run from July 30 to Sep 11, comprising 52 concerts featuring around 2,000 musicians.

       Speaking to The Telegraph in May, David Pickard, the director of the Proms, said he was hopeful that the event could be run at full capacity, adding: "I have to say that 1,000 people in the auditorium is not the same as 5,000 people."