Cricket charity Chance to Shine has been told that Locog’s refusal to allow it to advertise at St John’s Wood tube station during the Olympics because it is a charity was a “mix-up” and that it can apply to have ads during the London Games.

However, the charity, which is planning to send off its application today, will not know till next week if it has been accepted.

For the last two years, Chance to Shine, a charity which supports cricket in state schools, has advertised its cause at St John’s Wood station just before the test match at Lords to raise awareness with cricket fans. Last year one such ad resulted in a £7,000 donation from a donor.

However, when Chance to Shine got in touch with a booking agency to book space at St John’s Wood this year, it was told Locog had the final say as the station is an Olympic venue station. Chance to Shine was informed that Locog didn’t want charities to advertise during the Olympics – which ends four days before the test match begins at Lords. 

A Chance to Shine spokesman said it had asked the booking agency for contacts at Locog to discuss the issue, but were told that the agency was not allowed to provide any names.

Coverage in the national press seems to have tamed Locog, who have now described it as a “mix-up” and have said Chance to Shine can apply to advertise during the Games.

A Chance to Shine spokesman said: “The Olympics is an amazing sporting legacy. It seemed odd that a sporting charity was blocked from advertising by Locog. Maybe it was a mix-up. We’ll see what the results from our application will be.”

Locog did not respond to enquiries by deadline.