British supporters at the London 2012 victory parade - many of them will have early access to the London 2017 World Championships ©Getty Images

Organisers of London 2017 will offer the chance of priority tickets to 250,000 members of the “athletics family” including club members, volunteers, coaches and longstanding supporters of UK Athletics events.

The groundbreaking event, which will, for the first time, see the hosting of successive World Championships for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), is offering a priority purchase window to people from the grassroots of the sport.

Sally Bolton, managing director of London 2017, said: “There are thousands of people across the UK who make athletics strong on the ground.

“They are the local heroes who make our sport work within clubs, schools and communities.

“As the lifeblood of athletics we believe they should have the first opportunity to attend London 2017.

“We want to give the athletics family an opportunity to attend the biggest athletics event in the world.

Britain's 400m specialist Martyn Rooney takes over the IAAF flag for London 2017 at the handing-over ceremony during the IAAF World Championships last year. Britain's 'local heroes' will have an enhanced opportunity to see him and others compete next year ©Getty Images
Britain's 400 metres specialist Martyn Rooney takes over the IAAF flag for London 2017 at the handing-over ceremony during the IAAF World Championships last year. Britain's local heroes will have an enhanced opportunity to see him and others compete next year ©Getty Images

“There are so many people who work hard every week to give a positive experience to people coming into the sport and this opportunity from London 2017 means that they won’t miss out on the World Championships coming to the UK.”

A 2017 spokesman told insidethegames: “At a time when the sport is going through such difficult times, this is an example of athletics recognising the people who are at the coalface of the sport.

“There are people who turn up to their clubs week in, week out, to help out in whatever way they can.

"This initiative is recognising the good eggs of athletics.”

Part of the motivation for what London 2017 characterise as a “sea change” is the memory of how many deserving followers of the sport were unable to obtain tickets to watch athletics at the London 2012 Olympics.

Five years on, the same stadium will offer a significantly amplified opportunity.

London 2017 is encouraging people identified within the "athletics family" to check their emails for communication from their home country governing body or British Athletics and follow the instructions for registering.

They have until March 31, 2016 to register for the priority purchase window.

More information on ticketing for London 2017 will be announced in April 2016 including the timetable, pricing and key on-sale dates.

Members of the general public can get more information for ticketing, volunteering and further event news by registering their details here.