The town of Stadskanaal will stage the prestigious competition from June 24 until 27 with the event set to feature around 500 elite athletes in action, including Britain's double Beijing 2008 wheelchair racing champion David Weir and his Swiss rival Marcel Hug, with Europe's finest looking hone their preparations ahead of the Paralympics or in some cases secure qualification for London 2012 before the August 5 deadline.

Around 40 countries will compete in the event and Ed Warner, the chairman of the IPC Athletics Sport Technical Committee, predicted that the event will be of an especially high standard due to the fact that it is the last major international meet before the Paralympics.

"We are delighted that such a prestigious sporting event in the IPC Athletics calendar will take place in the Netherlands next year," said Warner, who is also chairman of UK Athletics.

"I expect the level of competition next year to be fierce.

"The big name athletes who take part will aim to send a warning to their rivals ahead of London 2012, while other will be going flat-out to ensure they meet those all-important Paralympic qualification standards."

The Championships will be the third major IPC sporting competition to be held in the Netherlands in the last six years after the country successfully staged the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships in Assen and the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven just over a year ago.

"This is a major coup for the Netherlands and underlines the country's commitment and excellent track record in staging major Para-sport events," said Rita van Driel, secretary general of NPC Netherlands and IPC Governing Board member.

"The Dutch Athletics Federation deserves a huge amount of credit for pulling this event off and I'd also like to thank the Government for their continued support.

"For it to happen in a Paralympic year, and so close to London 2012, will also ensure that the level of competition is extremely high and ultra-competitive."

Stadskanaal, located in the north east of the country, is now stranger to Paralympic athletics competition as last year the town staged the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Athletics European Championships as well as the climax of the 2011 IWAS Athletics Series earlier this year.

All athletes and officials attending the Europeans will be accommodated at Pagedal, a sports and leisure park situated close to the athletics stadium.

"We aim to provide all those who attend, whether they be athletes, officials or members of the media with excellent hospitality to continue the Netherlands' proud tradition of hosting successful Para-sport events," added the Local Organising Committee chairman Bert Eilliert.

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