Lakeside Hammers have been confirmed as joining the Championship for the 2018/19 speedway season.

The Purfleet-based club dropped down to the National League last season and finished the season in fourth place before being knocked out of the play-off semi-finals to the Bell-Vue Colts.

The Hammers will now move up to the second division in a move they hope brings more of a crowd back after racing many years in the top league before they decision to drop down last season.

They will line-up against the likes of Peterborough Panthers, Ipswich Witches, Scunthorpe Scorpions, Sheffield Tigers, Redcar Bears, Newcastle Diamonds, Glasgow Tigers, Edinburgh Monarchs, Berwick Bandits and Workington Comets.

Kelvin Tatum’s men will start the season in a league cup campaign in a group with Peterborough and Ipswich.

Promoter Jon Cook said: “Everyone at the club is delighted at our return to the professional leagues and the new challenge of the championship.

“We will be revealing our plans in greater detail over the coming weeks and I’m sure the Hammers fans are equally excited by this move.”

The Championship will stage meetings on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday this season after a discussion at the the British Speedway Promoters’ Association AGM this weekend.

There will also be no promotion or relegation between the Championship and the Premiership but the top four from each league will compete in their own league Play-offs.