(Reuters) - Supporters will be allowed to stand in selected English Premier League and Championship grounds from next year as part of a pilot programme, UK's Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) said on Wednesday.

Safe standing is set to be trialled from Jan. 1 after the UK government instructed the SGSA to take the first steps in creating licensed standing areas at grounds. Clubs will have until Oct. 6 to submit an application to become an "early adopter".