No, the UK has not adopted the euro at the last minute (there are no euro notes or coins anywhere until 2002, anyway), but a more subtle change to sterling is set to appear.

Merlyn Lowther, our new chief cashier

Merlyn Lowther, a 44-year-old mother of two, officially began work as the Bank of England's first woman chief cashier on January 1. All new sterling notes now bear her signature and will now start to enter circulation.

The Bank has not had a female chief cashier since the position was first created more than three hundred years ago.

Ms Lowther, who was the Bank's personnel director, will become the its 29th cashier since its foundation in 1694.

She was deputy chief cashier for five years to 1996, but as chief cashier, she heads the division which provides the Bank of England's banking infrastructure.

The new chief began working at the Bank of England in 1975 as an analyst, after completing a Maths degree at Manchester university.

Ms Lowther was born in London and now lives in the capital, although she spent her childhood in Manchester.

She said last year after being appointed to the top job: "I am delighted, I am aware that the position of chief cashier is familiar to many people and I am looking forward to taking on such an important role."