As part of the build-up to the London Olympics, passers-by were treated to the delights of one of the best-known 'new' sports that will be played at the Games in 2012. The beach volleyball tournament is differentiated from traditional volleyball by the numbers of players - two in each team rather than six - as well as the skimpier outfits. And the 'sexier' of the two sports is due to be staged at Horse Guards Parade in Westminster while the main Games is ongoing at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London.

Members of the British beach volleyball team (Lucy Boulton and Denise Johns, pictured above) gave a demonstration of their sport to promote the impending arrival of players from across the globe in two years' time. The overcast skies above London were certainly a far cry from the sport's origins in southern California.Although the sandy underfoot area - which normally hosts the Changing of the Guard rather than scantily-clad sportswomen - were at least a little closer to home. It's fair to say the public were impressed, judging by the number of cameras on show. But it's difficult to tell what the reaction of the Queen's guard was. They rarely give anything away.