UK wildlife to replace historical figures on banknotes

The Bank of England will replace historical figures like Shakespeare and Churchill on banknotes with images of British wildlife. King Charles' portrait will still appear.

This shift comes after 50 years of featuring historical icons. The public can vote on wildlife designs, with a recent survey showing 60% support for the theme.

The new notes will include native UK plants and animals, enhancing security measures against counterfeiting. A second consultation for specific wildlife choices will be held this summer.

Victoria Cleland, chief cashier at the Bank of England, said:

"The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience, but it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK."