Eastbourne are going first class as they make a piece of speedway history.

Eagles have teamed up with the Royal Mail to release 100 numbered A4 sheets of ten first-class stamps, legal for postage, depicting the team and riders.

This is the first such venture by a speedway club and is expected to be very popular with collectors.

Commercial manager Chris MacDonald said: “There is a great demand for limited edition sheets among serious philatelists.

“This is a first for speedway. The Royal Mail will be producing 100 sheets and that's it. There will be no more afterwards.

“Each one will be numbered and applications are limited to one sheet per person.”

The sheets will cost £150 and MacDonald’s research within the stamp-collecting marketplace suggests that could represent an excellent investment.

Eastbourne’s 100 Club members will receive a priority invitation form and the closing date for applications is just after the final race against Swindon on Thursday, June 3.

There will be further details in the programme for the Eagles Past v Present meeting next Thursday and via the club website at elite-eagles.com.

MacDonald added: “This is a first and unique opportunity for collectors and speedway enthusiasts.

“A lot of work has gone into this and we are really excited.”

Ivan Mauger is believed to be the only speedway rider to previously feature on a postage stamp as part of a motorcycling collection in New Zealand.