Protesters have flown a giant balloon depicting London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a bikini.

The demonstration has been taking place in London's Parliament Square.

Those responsible for the nine-metre balloon are calling for the Labour politician to be removed from office amid rising rates of knife and gun crimes in the English capital.

The demonstration follows the high-profile 'Trump Baby' balloon that was flown during the US President's UK visit earlier this year.

A crowdfunding campaign for the Khan balloon raised almost £60,000 (€67,000) from around 3,500 supporters.

Those behind the campaign wrote: "Under Sadiq Khan, we have seen crime sky rocket to unprecedented levels.

"People in London don't feel safe and they aren't safe - 81 murders this year alone!"

They also claimed they wanted to test whether 'free speech applies to all' in the wake of the similar Trump protest.

Images from the scene of the protest today also showed a number of demonstrators with signs and t-shirts in support of Donald Trump.

Picture by: David Mirzoeff/PA Wire/PA Images

Authorities granted permission for the protest earlier this week, and Mr Khan himself has joked about the balloon.

In comments quoted by BBC, he said: "If people want to spend their Saturday looking at me in a yellow bikini they're welcome to do so.

"I don't really think yellow's my colour though."

Mr Khan has been in office since his victory in the 2016 election, becoming the first Muslim mayor of the city.

The next mayoral election is set to take place in 2020, with Conservatives set to nominate their candidate this month.