Ping-pong tables were lined up across the concourse of London's St Pancras International station on 22 July to mark the launch of a month-long scheme to get more people playing the sport.

A total of 100 tables will be set up at locations across the capital as part of the Ping! initiative, including Westfield Shopping Centre, Soho Square, Heathrow Terminal 3 and Tate Britain. The English Table Tennis Association (ETTA) and the participatory arts group, Sing London, have teamed up to deliver the Sport England-funded scheme to provide tables for free, impromptu use.

A programme of masterclasses, competitions and other activities are planned, such as a 'singles for singles' dating event. Around half of the tables are set to be retained on a permanent basis. Colette Hiller, creative director of Sing London - the organisation behind the street pianos scheme, said: "Ping! is for everyone - those who love table tennis and those who didn't know they did. A quick game of ping-pong en-route to work or over a lunchtime sandwich? What better way to put a smile on the face of Londoners."

Sport England chief executive Jennie Price added: "Sport England's job is to make sure everyone has the chance to play a sport that interests them, and sometimes that means taking the sport to the people, rather than the people to the sport. Table tennis has wide appeal, and I hope that thousands of people will take advantage of these outdoor tables and will enjoy playing."