PROFITEERS are selling tickets for comedy legend Peter Kay's special shows in aid of an East Lancashire student for more than six times their original value.

The £45 tickets, which sold out in under 30 minutes on Friday morning, can be found selling on eBay for as much as £580 a pair.

The Bolton comedian, 48, who has been largely absent from the public eye for the last three years, will host two live Q&A shows to help fund the treatment of Barrowford woman Laura Nuttall, 20, who has an aggressive type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme.

Proceeds from the shows will go to help Laura get special treatment in Germany which is not available in the UK.

Laura's mother, Nicola, said of the touts: "It's really sad that people are profiting from the shows which are for Laura's treatment.

"Unfortunately, there will always be opportunists who look to make a quick buck from any situation. Maybe they'll make a donation to 'Doing it for Laura' with some of their profits?"

Tickets for Peter Kays Doing It For Laura show on eBay

Tickets for Peter Kay's Doing It For Laura show on eBay

Speaking on ITV's This Morning on Tuesday, Mrs Nuttall told of how it would cost thousands to treat Laura's tumour successfully, with several flights to and from Germany required.

The two shows, called Doing It For Laura, will take place at the 3,500-capacity O2 Apollo Manchester on August 7, with one at 1.30pm and another at 6.30pm.

Many people were left disappointed and unable to get their hands on tickets and now touts are exploiting the demand by charging astronomical prices for personal gain.

Laura, who has just completed her second year at Manchester University where she is studying philosophy, politics and economics, will be in the audience with her family.

Laura Nuttall on Tuesdays This Morning

Laura Nuttall on Tuesday's This Morning

She was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was in her first term at King's College University in London at the age of 18, following a series of headaches.

Mrs Nuttall told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford that her husband Mark had received a 'surprise' supportive phone call from Kay, having not spoken for 15 years.

Laura Nuttalls mum Nicola on Tuesdays This Morning

Laura Nuttall's mum Nicola on Tuesday's This Morning

She said that she had originally thought it was a 'long shot' to ask if the funnyman would mind appearing at a charity ball, before he suggested booking the Apollo and had it sorted within a matter of days.

The couple first met Kay when they were working at Granada Television almost two decades ago.