PLAY-off fever was sweeping through Ipswich today as the 'blue frenzy' for the hottest tickets in town gathered pace.Queues began forming outside Portman Road as early as 5.

PLAY-off fever was sweeping through Ipswich today as the 'blue frenzy' for the hottest tickets in town gathered pace.

Queues began forming outside Portman Road as early as 5.30am as fans looked to secure their seat for Saturday's crunch clash with West Ham United.

The number of staff selling the tickets has been more than doubled by the club in a bid to cope with the demand.

Club spokesman Terry Baxter said: "We've more than doubled the number of staff selling tickets and extra staff from around the business have been drafted in to help.

"Trying to sell 30,000 tickets in less than a week is a big challenge but we've experienced it before. We're trying to make the process of supporters getting their tickets as easy as we can."

Thousands of seats were shifted yesterday and the match is fast heading towards a sell-out, with Hammers fans already filling the away section.

Refreshments were being offered to the hundreds of fans queuing outside the Constantine Road ticket office today. A long procession of fans were still waiting patiently right up to yesterday's closing time of 8pm.

Season ticket holders were at the front of the line today, with remaining gold club members joining them.

Tomorrow will be the turn of silver club members, while customers on the club's database will have their chance from Thursday.

Any remaining seats will then be put on general sale to personal callers.

Away match tickets have been sent to passport holders and offered to debenture holders.

From 2pm today, they were being sold to season ticket holders, with silver club members' sales from 2pm to 8pm tomorrow. Any remaining seats will then go on sale to customers on the club's database.

The Evening Star is continuing our countdown to the first leg clash, with giant colour play-offs posters available when purchasing a copy of tomorrow's Star.

These are available from the following outlets while stocks last:

Evening Star reception, Lower Brook Street, Ipswich.

Chantry News, Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich

Ford News, Combs Ford, Stowmarket

Winterman's News, Manning Road, Felixstowe

Bramford Village News, The Street, Bramford

Foxhall News, Foxhall Road, Ipswich

Trimley Stores, High Road, Trimley

SJS News, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe

Keep your eyes open for more play-off treats in your Star this week, as well as all the latest news in the build up to the big matches.

N Tickets for Saturday's match can be purchased by calling 0870 4441062 or by visiting the main ticket office in Constantine Road. For away match tickets, call 01473 400555.