TABLE tennis tables are about to pop up all over Exeter!

From tomorrow (July 17) until the end of the summer holidays, over 30 ping pong tables will spring up across Exeter’s landmarks and locations including – Exeter Central station, Double Locks, Exeter City FC, Exeter Library, Princesshay Shopping Centre and even the Quay & Piazza. The tables are there for everyone to enjoy.

To join in the fun, simply borrow a bat from the side of the table and play ball.

Ping! Exeter is part of a national programme from Table Tennis England and Sport England in partnership with Sing London.

Ping! Exeter is being delivered by Active Devon in partnership with Exeter City Council and Exeter City FC – football in the community.

It is one of 16 regions that have been selected to be part of Ping! this year, along with Birmingham, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Bury, Cambridge, Cornwall, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Middleborough, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Oxford and Sheffield Ping! Exeter hopes to engage the whole city in lots of games throughout the summer.

Councillor Keith Owen, Exeter City Council's Lead Councillor for Environment, Health & Wellbeing said: “Ping is a fantastic opportunity for people to have a go at table tennis, whether they are first-timers, club players or old-timers dusting down their bat from years ago. Here in Exeter we’re striving to become the most active city in the south west so the Ping Festival is a great way to do just that.”

In addition to free play, Exeter’s Ping! Tables offer a programme of scheduled activities, including masterclasses and tournaments.

There are also occasional ‘Random Acts of Ping Pong’ where you can expect the unexpected. Look out for Pink Ping! On the 27 July at Race for Life, Ping! In the park 14 to 18 August at the Big Screen in the park, as well many other impromptu and planned Ping Pong events.

Ping! Exeter launches with a ping pong bonanza at Coal Restaurant, Bedford Square, Princesshay on 17 July from 11am – 4pm. There will be show matches, hints and tips on skills and a visit from the Lord Mayor launching Ping! Exeter in the city with ping pong for everyone.