The offer gives the BPA the opportunity to recognise the contribution of their former Paralympians to mark the 200 day to go milestone until the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which is reached tomorrow.

BPA are also recognising the heritage of British Paralympic sport, which has its origins at Stoke Mandeville hospital in 1948, the last time the Olympic Games came to London.

The first ever British Paralympian to pick up a gold medal, archer Margaret Maughan, welcomed the news.

"I am so pleased that the BPA have given me and other Paralympians the opportunity to attend the Games in London next year," she said.

"I am very proud to be a Paralympian and I hope that in London I will join many other supporters in cheering on the British team."

A similar scheme was announced last year by the British Olympic Association.

Fellow archer Danielle Brown, who won gold in Beijing in 2008, said: "Sport is such an important part of my life and the Paralympics have grown to become the ultimate competition for disabled athletes.

"People like Margaret played an important role in establishing the Paralympic Movement and I'm really pleased that the BPA is recognising this and inviting them along to support us at our home Games."

Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of the BPA said: "I am very proud to say that we will be looking after our retired Paralympians in London by providing them with two tickets to the Games free of charge.

"These athletes represented our nation and this offer goes some way towards celebrating their contribution to the history of the British Paralympic team.

"The BPA was only formed in 1989 meaning that our formal records don't go back to the beginning of the Paralympic Movement.

"So we are looking forward to making contact with all British Paralympians through this offer and welcoming them to London."

Retired Paralympians can sign up to the offer at www.paralympiansclub.org.uk and register as a member, with postal and telephone (0207 842 5789) registrations also being received.

Athletes still competing are not eligible as they can obtain up to four free tickets for friends and family through the P&G "Nearest and Dearest"\ programme.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]