Damian joined the Bank of England’s Chief Cashier, Victoria Cleland, in Parliament this week to see the new £10 note featuring local and world-renowned author Jane Austen.
The new note also features a series of raised dots to help blind and vision impaired users identify the note, in addition to other elements already incorporated in Bank of England notes to help them, including tiered sizing, bold numerals, raised print and differing colour palettes.
Commenting on the launch, Damian said:
“Jane Austen is one of the true international literary giants as well as, of course, one of East Hampshire's most famous former residents. It’s wonderful to see her life and contribution to British culture celebrated on the new £10 note, particularly in this anniversary year.”
It joins the Churchill £5 note in the first family of polymer Bank of England notes, and a new £20 note featuring J.M.W Turner will follow in 2020.