Pupils at a Goodmayes secondary school can be more active thanks to the donation of two ping-pong tables.

Mayfield School in Pedley Road, Goodmayes, was the lucky recipient of the tables thanks to a partnership between the Jack Petchey Foundation and the England Table Tennis Association.

Pupils will no longer have to wait for a turn on tables during PE lessons, according to the school’s games organiser, Ally Tansley.

She said: “We can use all our tables to teach a whole PE class at once.

“It also allows more students to play at break and lunchtime.

“If they show potential they can receive teaching and guidance towards a local club.

“We also run fun competitions at lunchtimes and after school.”

The tables, two of 35 given to London schools, were funded by the Foundation, set up by businessman Jack Petchey and based in Clements Lane, Ilford, and a Sport England Sportsmatch grant.

Mr Petchey, 87, said: “I’ve been a fan of table tennis since my own youth.

“It’s a fantastic sport for young people to play and I hope that the partnership will go from strength to strength.”

The tables were presented to the school on July 6.