AFTER a four-year wait, staff and students at a Kent school are celebrating the opening of a state-of-the-art table tennis centre.

The £900,000 centre will be used by year seven, eight and nine pupils at the Howard School in Rainham, as well as by local clubs and primary schools.

Building work on Kent’s only table tennis centre began in January after PE teacher and centre manager Steve Waud spent four years trying to secure funding from The Big Lottery fund.

Students are now making full use of the centre’s four changing rooms, eight table tennis tables, social areas and first aid room as part of their curriculum.

Steve Waud said: "I have been playing table tennis since I was about 13 and wanted to get more youngsters in Medway involved.

"The centre is purely for table tennis and I’m hoping to get a school league started. It will help keep kids off of the streets and give them more exercise."

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Cllr Les Wicks, said: "I welcome this brilliant addition to Medway’s sports venues.

"We have invested over £750,000 in this superb facility to encourage young people."

The centre will be opened officially at a special event on Saturday, September 17.

Former England table tennis stars John Hilton, Brian Keane and Joey Kennedy will be on hand to share tips with youngsters.

For more information, call 01634 338765.