Soho market where you can pay in kindness

Customers are being asked to pay with "acts of kindness" rather than cash at a Soho market.

Berwick Street market will be money-free between 1pm and 3pm tomorrow. Customers must tell a funny story, smile or give a hug for their goods.

Ian Keene, 62, who has run a fish stall at Berwick Street for 43 years, said: "With all the gloom about, people need to try to cheer each other up."

Mr Keene said he would give customers a dinner of fish fillets in return for a simple compliment. But to wangle some of his top scallops, he will insist on a good joke or a song and dance.

Fruit and vegetable seller Norman Wilson, 50, said: "I think customers will love it. It's going to be like a little street party, everyone happy and being nice to each other."

Tomorrow's event is the culmination of a week-long campaign by Absolut vodka, Absolut Kindness, aimed at encouraging Londoners to imagine a world where good feelings are more important than money.

Mark Hamilton, head of marketing for Absolut, said: "We want to show our customers an optimistic vision of life."