London's largest ever floating market has opened to shoppers looking for an alternative way to spend their weekend in Paddington .

Merchant's Square is the home of several canal boats who have parked up for three days for the occasion in the heart of west London.

Running from Friday (June 16th) to Sunday, traders from across England talked to getwestlondon about the delights of bringing the idea to one of the city's most bustling areas.

Elizabeth Siwinska, whose barge hosts a poetry cafe - voted as the best Mother's Day pop up in 2015 - said it was truly a delight being on board.

"Our in barge poet writes a custom poem for each person and you get people crying because it can be quite a beautiful moment," she said.

"The project really is my baby and I'm happy that it moves people so much.

"We do all kinds of things on the boat from cooking classes to sewing workshops, but this is the first in Merchant's Square and I love it."

Elizabeth on board her boat, serving tea, coffee and cake

Second hand book trader Jill Dale, who was accompanied by Chocolate the Dog, was pleased at how friendly visitors had been.

"We have been doing this for 12 years now and we're loving it, it's great."

Father's Day preparations have been taken place throughout the day, as the traders gear towards Sunday to make it extra special for families to come along.

Chocolate gave shoppers a warm welcome on board the Book Boat

Barge owner Luke Guilford who travels from festival to festival, sells records and said there's music to suit all dads.

Meanwhile over at a barge owned by jewellery maker Andy Kallinder, he said buying the jewellery from a canal makes it all the more personal.

"When they buy something from here, because we live on the barges too, they're buying into a story, a piece of our lives," he said.

"We just hope everyone loves it as much as we do."