LOS ANGELES - The website set up to process applications for tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service received more than half a billion hits in less than two hours, officials said Friday.

A statement released by representatives for the Jackson family said an additional server had been added to the website -- www.staplescenter.com -- to cope with the volume of traffic.

"As of 11:30 this morning, www.staplescenter.com has received over 500,000,000 hits," the statement said.

The website crashed within minutes of officials announcing plans to hold an online lottery for 17,500 free tickets to watch Tuesday's service at the Staples Center and a neighboring venue in downtown Los Angeles.

Jackson, 50, died on June 25 after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest, sparking a worldwide outpouring of tributes.

--AFP