A FATHER-AND-SON table tennis pairing are packing their net, bats and table and preparing to play on top of England's highest mountain on Wednesday.

Barrow's Matt and Ben O'Flynn will sleep on the slopes of Scafell Pike on Tuesday night and will ascend to the summit in the morning for their special encounter.

The game is being played as part of National Table Tennis Day, and 56-year-old Matt and 19-year-old Ben decided to mark the occasion by combining two of their passions.

Both play in the Barrow and District Table Tennis League and regularly set off on treks on the Lake District fells, with the unique encounter the perfect way for them to celebrate the day.

“One of the things they wanted people to try for the day was to play table tennis in an unusual place,” said Matt.

“Ben and I do a bit of fell-walking, so we decided we would try to play the highest game in England on Scafell Pike.

“We've got a little table which we're taking up with us – it's like an office desktop table – and we will play on that. We'll have a few spare balls, because we expect it will be a windy up there and we will be chasing the balls around a bit.

“It's all to have a bit of fun and get table tennis noticed.”

When the O'Flynns have returned to base in Barrow, they will be involved in a special night of table tennis activities at St Bernard's School on Wednesday evening.

Between 6pm and 9pm – when there are regular open practice sessions which attract a high number of junior players – there will be fun games to involve new players – including parents – such as table tennis cricket.

“We're trying to get parents and maybe some new people who haven't played before to get involved,” said Matt.

Table tennis continues to have a strong presence in South Cumbria, both through the leagues and through schools.

Junior teams and individuals have competed regionally and nationally, with Sophie Ackred recently finishing second in the national under-10s championships.

Matt added: “Table tennis has always been very strong in the schools – firstly at Millom and then at Parkview on the national stage, and other schools have followed.

“We've also got players who are well into their 70s – it's a good sport for spanning the ages.”