It does not seem long ago since the new polymer £5 notes were introduced.

But people have just weeks left to spend - or bank - the 160 million paper fivers still in circulation before they lose their legal tender status.

From Friday, May 5, shops no longer have to accept the paper fiver featuring prison reformer Elizabeth Fry as payment.

And not all banks and building societies will accept the old notes being returned.

After May 5, the new polymer banknote - billed as untearable and with enhanced security when introduced last September - featuring Sir Winston Churchill will be the only Bank of England £5 notewith legal tender status.

A spokesman for the Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers, which represents Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "The paper Scottish fivers are not beingwithdrawn from circulation, they are just not being reissued.

"They don't have a withdrawal date as such similar to the English £5 notes."

To read the complete article, see:
You only have weeks to spend your old £5 notes - or even banks might not take them(www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/05/have-weeks-spend-old-5-notes-even-banks-might-not-take/)