A mystery campaign trying to get strangers to chat to each other on the Tube has provoked a distinct lack of enthusiasm from Londoners.

The Tube Chat? badges are being distributed on the London Underground - with a similar design to Transport for London's Baby on Board badges, it initially appeared to be an official campaign.

But TfL is not happy that its branding has been used, and Twitter users are bemused by the whole idea - proving once again that the stereotype of the grumpy Londoner is alive and well.

Optimistic Twitter user @Chloeandlydia said: "Looking forward to never being pestered by random men ever again if I'm not wearing a Tube chat badge."

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They've even been mocking up their own ideas for alternative badges to let other Tube passengers know how they're feeling.

@KieranJWalsh tweeted a picture of a badge reading "Sorry I'm not here to make new friends, I just want to go to work or home and be left alone please."

And in what many regular commuters in the capital would consider the iciest of insults, @Miss_N_B tweeted: "I'd rather go on replacement rail than 'chat' on the tube."

A TfL spokeswoman said: "It's definitely not something we have created. We are trying to get in touch with the people behind them as we never allow people to use our branding unless they have our permission.

"This sort of stuff is quite dangerous, we don't want people to get confused.

"While it is an interesting idea, we don't want people using our branding."

Baby on Board badges can be ordered from TfL to help mothers-to-be secure a seat without embarrassment.

Badges for people with disabilities or those less able to stand saying "Please offer me a seat" are also being trialled.

On Tube Chat's Facebook page, photos of the badges were shared as well as plans to hand out the first batch on Wednesday morning at Old Street Station.