Nearly 40 per cent of Havering schools have yet to apply for Olympics tickets which could see pupils attend the greatest show on earth for free.

Around 125,000 Games tickets are up for grabs - enough for one in eight of London 10-18 year old school children to attend the Games.

Now London Mayor Boris Johnson is urging all schools to sign up to the ticketsharing ‘Get Set’ network before the December 16 when applications close.

He said: “Havering’s school kids have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get hold of the hottest tickets in town and experience the greatest sporting event on the planet. This spread of tickets will give them access to some truly awesome venues, including the stadium and velodrome, and witness the highest level of sporting competition which they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

“But to get as many kids into the Games as possible, we need every state and independent school in Havering to join up and, with just a month to go, I urge school kids, teachers and parents to make sure that their school doesn’t miss out. So, get online at London 2012 and give London’s kids the best chance of being at the very heart of what will be the most amazing show on earth.“

Only 58 per cent of London schools eligible have applied to join the Get Set network.

Boroughs with the highest number of Get Set network schools include Enfield, 100 per cent; Greenwich, 92 per cent; and Barking & Dagenha, 89 per cent,

Former athlete Seb Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog), said: “I have always passionately believed that the Olympic and Paralympic Games can provide a once in a generation platform for sport in this country. By seeing world class athletes and witnessing world class sport at fantastic venues, we are giving young people a magnificent opportunity. I would urge schools in London and across the UK to take advantage of this opportunity, apply to be part of the London 2012 Get Set network and be in with a chance of giving some of their pupils truly a once in a lifetime experience.”