Invitations have also been given to students and teachers from London schools, he added.

The desperate measure was announced as photographs showed Games venues with large swathes of empty seats for the second day in a row.

Lord Coe said fans with tickets could have them upgraded so they can sit in more expensive areas reserved for VIP members of the ‘Olympic family’.

He added that tickets for sports held in double sessions, such as hockey, basketball, water polo and handball, were being recycled and re-sold as people leave.