The Bank of England is removing the image of Winston Churchill from the five pound note and replacing it with an animal. The decision marks a significant change to one of Britain's most recognisable banknotes.
The public can vote on their favourite design starting today, with options including a shark, dolphin, hedgehog, fox, woodpecker and frog. The Bank of England's chief cashier Victoria Cleland presented the initiative.
The current five pound note features a serious-looking Winston Churchill alongside the monarch. Churchill was chosen for the note in recognition of his role as Britain's wartime leader during the Second World War.
The decision to replace a historical figure with an animal represents a departure from the Bank of England's traditional approach to banknote design. Previous notes have featured prominent figures from British history, science and culture.
The announcement has generated immediate public debate, with strong opinions on both the removal of Churchill and the choice of animal designs. The red fox and the hedgehog appear to be among the early favourites in online discussions.
The Bank of England periodically updates its banknote designs for security and cultural reasons. The new animal-themed note will retain the image of the monarch on one side while featuring the winning animal design on the reverse.
The public vote is expected to generate significant engagement as Britons choose which animal best represents the national character on one of the country's most commonly used banknotes. The winning design will be announced in the coming months.