The BBC spent £68,000 on corporate hospitality during its three-day coverage of the Glastonbury music festival.

The sum - equivalent to the cost of 501 colour TV licences - covers costs such as the tickets for 230 guests and the running of a specially constructed BBC marquee.

The BBC said most of the food and drink budget for its two evening receptions at the festival was covered by sponsors, including Covent Garden members' club The Hospital and cosmetics company Mac.

In a statement, responding to a request under the Freedom of Information Act, the BBC said that "sponsors were able to invite a limited number of guests, but did not receive programming credits or editorial input".

The corporation also said it operated a pay bar for the 2,000 people who used its hospitality facilities over the course of the weekend.

"Glastonbury is the biggest popular music event for the BBC, and we cover it exclusively on many of our outlets," the BBC's statement added. "We also use the festival to strengthen relationships with a wide range of people we work with throughout the year.

"The BBC's guests received modest hospitality, including tickets and evening receptions on Friday and Saturday."

· To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email editor@mediatheguardian.com or phone 020 7239 9857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 7278 2332.

· If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".