POETS took centre stage at an East Oxford supermarket as they dazzled shoppers with their energetic performances.

The group of poets gathered at Tesco Metro in Cowley Road yesterday to perform their favourite poems and self-penned pieces to customers. The in-store recitals were organised to coincide with National Poetry Day, which saw people across the country celebrate and share their love of poetry.

Euton Daley, who performed poems by Benjamin Zephaniah and Maya Angelou said: “It went well. It was very different and unusual to perform in a public space where people were shopping but people stopped and listened.”

Mr Daley, who runs community projects across the city, also spent the evening celebrating the launch of his new book Politics of Love.

The Cowley resident began penning the title after leaving his position as artistic director at Magdalen Road’s Pegasus Theatre in July 2013. He returned to the East Oxford theatre yesterday evening as well-wishers gathered to enjoy his performance.

Mr Daley said the book, which has been published by the African Caribbean Kultural Heritage Initiative, focuses on black culture and race.

The book, which costs £5, will be on sale at Pegasus Theatre and at the Old Fire Station in George Street.