The shoes are going to be recycled and given to other countries

Handicap International UK asked members of the public to help by bringing along a pair of shoes to the central London square for Stamp Out Landmines Day.

Marking the start of Landmine Action Week, the event is designed to raise awareness about landmines and support for the clear-up campaign.

Mine clearance experts, who are usually based in Kosovo, attended the event on Saturday to describe their work and perform demonstrations.

Karl Blanchet, director of Handicap International which has organised the campaign, told BBC London they want the British government to take action.

"As we see in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq now, we have a new challenge to face and what we want to do is we want to put pressure using today's society power and we hope to mobilise people around these issues," Mr Blanchet said.

"The shoes are going to symbolise lives and limbs lost due to landmines. People can come with a pair of shoes just to demonstrate their solidarity to landmine victims.

"All the shoes are then going to be recycled and be given to southern countries."