Bank of England picks four wildlife images for next banknotes

• Nearly 500,000 people responded to the consultation.
• The four animals will be the central images on the next series of banknotes.
• The Bank said the next series will retain a portrait of the monarch.

Action

The Bank of England has selected four animals for the central images on its next series of banknotes. It said the choice followed feedback from a public consultation.

Bank of England picks four wildlife images for next banknotes

The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog will represent UK wildlife on the notes.

Respondents

The Bank said nearly 500,000 people responded to the consultation. They chose from a shortlist of 18 options across mammals; birds; and amphibians, insects and fish, developed with a panel of UK wildlife experts.

The barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog were the most popular animals in their categories. The Atlantic puffin was selected as the most popular marine animal.

Effective

The Bank said the animal for each denomination will be announced closer to launch. It added that the next series will also feature other elements from nature and will continue to include a portrait of the monarch.

The Bank said it takes a number of years to design, test and print banknotes. It expects the first denomination from the next series to be launched over the next few years.