With just over twenty-four hours to go before the start of trading in Europe's new currency, the euro, it's already being used for advance share orders on international stock markets.

Officials in Paris said that some eight and a half thousand share orders have been placed in euros which will be processed at the start of trading on Monday.

Meanwhile, bank staff across Europe are continuing to prepare for the first day's business, with much of the activity, involving thirty thousand dealers and computer programmers happening in London, despite the fact that Britain has not joined the single currency.

Despite positive international reaction to the euro, the EU commissioner responsible for monetary union, Yves-Thibault de Silguy, has cautioned that it is not a miracle cure for Europe's economic problems.