Commuters are divided over a "monstrous" campaign to get strangers to wear a badge and talk to each other on the London Underground.

While Transport for London says it has nothing to do with the Tube Chat? pins being distributed on its network, people are responding differently to being encouraged to "have a chat with your fellow travellers".

@GlitteryAllsorts wrote on Twitter: "What is this monstrosity?! This is too much. Make it stop. Say no to #tube_chat."

@Miss_N_B added: "I'd rather go on replacement rail than 'chat' on the tube."

However, Amy Shaw wrote on Twitter: "The fact that we are in a society where people have to wear badges so that other people can talk to them is so sad."

Norwich South MP Clive Lewis slammed the "somewhat extreme" response to the badges, adding: "Wonderful idea to help breakthrough modern insularity."

People have been sharing photos of the badges, which look similar to TfL's official Baby on Board badges for pregnant mothers, on social media.

TfL has distanced itself from the campaign and is trying to get in touch with the people behind it as it does not allow its branding to be used without permission.

A TfL spokeswoman said: "This is not an official Transport for London campaign.

"We currently only promote two badges to be worn while travelling - our Baby on Board badge and a new trial badge for people with hidden disabilities which encourages passengers to offer those less able to stand a seat."

TfL believes there may be a danger that people might confuse this badge with the official Baby on Board and disability badges.

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.

On a Twitter account @tube_chat it shared a photo of a badge left on top of a Tube station's Help Point.