SHOPPERS at the Westgate Centre paused in their tracks today when a group of pretend coffee-drinkers left their tables and began performing music in sign language. 

Catching shoppers in a lunchtime surprise, the flash mob ditched their seats, bags and coffees to perform sign to the tune of Bruno Mars '24k magic'. 

The surprise was orgnaised by Chloe Armantrading as a way to kick off 'Deaf Awareness Week' which starts on Monday and runs through to Sunday. 

Campaigner Ms Armantrading, who is a sign language teacher, said she wanted to raise awareness of sign language and told the shopping centre over a mic that 'it is about time businesses taught their staff the basics of signing'. 

She explained: “We’ve got everybody from the ages of seven to 65 showing you that sign language is for everyone.

“It’s time that businesses started teaching their staff sign language, and time that schools started teaching the children sign language.

"I’m so proud of all of you and I honestly can’t thank you enough for your hard work and I just want to say a massive massive well done and thankyou."

She added: "It’s time for a change and I really hope that we have shown you that today."