However, there will be a Belgian rail strike on Friday and Eurostar advise customers travelling to the country on their services to cancel their journeys.

A spokesman said: "We will be terminating our trains which normally travel to Brussels in Lille.

"Our advice for Eurostar passengers is not to travel on Friday. At the moment there will be no trains moving in Belgium, but as with all strikes things could change at the last moment.

"There is, of course, the possibility some intending to travel may have arranged their journey from Lille to Ostend by coach. That is a much quicker option."

The two-day meeting begins on Saturday and thousands of supporters traditionally arrive on Friday evening.

The championships were moved to Ostend within a fortnight of their start date.

Once Dublin had been ruled out, Brussels was the preferred venue but the capital did not have enough available beds for the competitors, officials, media and fans.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation, who had arranged free rail travel from Brussels Airport and rail stations to Ostend for accredited personnel, are looking for alternative methods of transport.