Three women have been the main featured character on Bank of England banknotes.

The first was the legendary nurse, Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), nicknamed the "Lady with the Lamp" who featured on the £10 note that was legal tender between 1975 and 1992.

A woman was not featured again until 2002 when prison reformer Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) appeared on the £5 note that remained in circulation until 2016.

Currently, the £10 note features a portrait of the great author Jane Austen (1775-1817) who is the first woman to appear on a note made of the new, tear-proof plastic material. Almost inevitably, a joke has done the rounds about "Tenner Lady"!

It is worth noting that some real-life women are identifiable in the background on the £20 note issued between 1991 and 1999.

Whilst not disputing the worthy claim of Alan Turing to feature on the next £20 note, disappointment has been expressed that a female scientist such as Mary Anning or Rosalind Franklin was not chosen.

More Info: www.bankofengland.co.uk