to be paid into a bank account, by cheque or, “if you live in the UK and the amount is under £300”, swapped for new-style polymer ones.

Old notes can also be taken there in person but the bank warned that "our counter can get very busy".

The use of cash fell sharply during the coronavirus pandemic as lockdowns reduced options for spending, and this accelerated a downward trend for the use of notes and coins.

However, cash still accounted for 12% of all payments in 2023, according to the latest figures by banking trade body UK Finance, making it the second most-popular way to pay after debit cards.