Gary Locke, the Hearts manager, last night hailed the Tynecastle club's supporters after it emerged that more than 900 season tickets had been sold since they went into administration.

Locke was even on hand, with youngsters Kevin McHattie, Jamie Walker and Dale Carrick, at the ticket office yesterday to greet fans as they signed up to take their seats for next term.

Joint-administrator Bryan Jackson set the Tynecastle support a target on Thursday of buying 3000 more season tickets, on top of the 7000 that had already been sold pre-administration.

Hearts need to raise around £750,000 just to survive the coming months.

Online fans forum Jambos Kickback have also raised £23,000 in only a matter of days through a donation page.

Locke said: "The supporters are rallying round as I knew they would but we have to keep things going as there is still a long way to go.

"The priority is the survival of Heart of Midlothian FC and with the fans we have, I am confident we will achieve that target."