There is something stirring 'Down in the Tube Station at Midnight' as The Jam sang. The scheme to licence buskers on the London Tube system sponsored by beer brand Carling has proved successful. During the trial period in which only officially approved buskers were allowed to perform in designated areas Police call-outs to eject or arrest performers who blocked safety zones or abused staff decreased by 82%, as a result the trial has been extended until the end of the year.

New auditions will be held for more underground entertainers and the number of participating stations will rise from 12 to 17.

The 300 performers who already have licences range from didgeridoo players to opera singers. London Underground's busking co-ordinator Richard Smith said: "We launched the scheme because customers said they wanted to hear good music as they travelled around the Tube.
They've certainly had that and have also played their part in having the trial extended."

Beer brand Carling, paid £600,000 towards launching and running the scheme and to have its logo on the pitches, they will now pay a further £250,000 for the extension. But none of the sponsorship money goes into the buskers hats; they still rely on the generosity of passengers.