A force measurement mechanism comprises two force input members (105, 106), a pair of cantilever springs (101, 102), and a force measuring means (107). One portion of each cantilever spring is held by a first constraint means (103) and one portion of each cantilever spring is held by a second constraint means (104) with each cantilever spring having an unconstrained length between the first and second constraint means that is free to bend. The constraint means (103, 104) hold the cantilever springs (101, 102) in a parallel and spaced apart arrangement. The force input members (105, 106) are attached via the constraint means so that relative movement of the force input members bends the cantilever springs (101, 02), and the force measuring means (107) is arranged to measure force applied between the force input members.