Britain has issued its first banknotes made of plastic.<br /><br /> The five pound note in circulation from Tuesday is printed on polymer – a thin and flexible plastic – which the UK central bank said is cleaner, less harmful to the environment and harder to forge.<br /><br /> The notes are much tougher than the cotton-based paper ones they are replacing. The bank said they will last more than twice as long and should even survive an accidental trip through the washing machine. <br /><br /> “The use of polymer means it can better withstand being repeatedly folded into wallets or scrunched up inside pockets and can also survive a spin in the washing machine”, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said.<br /><br /> They also have a number of additional security features.<br /><br /> #TheNewFiver is out, have you seen it? Made of polymer it's designed to stand the test of time, just like Churchill https://t.co/Gk8uBjMzYR— HSBC UK (@HSBC_UK) September 13, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> The front of the note has a picture of World War Two leader Winston Churchill alongside one of his most famous quotes from that time: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat”.<br /><br /> The new fivers entered circulation in England and Wales on Tuesday. Scotland has had a limited amount of its own plastic five pound notes in circulation since March 2015, with mass issuance planned for October 2016.<br /><br /> Plastic currency is already in use in more than 30 countries including Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia.<br /><br /> The fiver will be followed by a plastic 10 pound note next year and a 20 pound note in 2020. <br /><br /> The old five pound notes will be valid until May 2017. <br /><br /> We shall spend them on the beaches… <br />New Winston Churchill plastic £5 enters circulation https://t.co/jObwDGH5hn pic.twitter.com/HMSKy7sxNP— HISTORY HIT (@HistoryHit) September 13, 2016<br />
