The Bosnian Serb authorities have introduced Yugoslav dinar vouchers to cover a cash shortage, caused by a row with Belgrade.

Yugoslav dinars are still widely used in the Bosnian Serb Republic, but the supply has dried up since Belgrade cut all financial transactions in November after the Bosnian Serbs lowered the dinar's exchange rate.

The Bosnian Serb finance minister, Novak Kondic, said that although the original exchange rate had been restored Belgrade had not resumed dinar transactions.

Mr Kondic said the vouchers would be issued to citizens by the banks and shops would be fined if they refused to accept them.

He said the government would also aim to increase the use of the convertible mark, the common currency in Bosnia-Hercegovina imposed by the international community.