New £5 polymer note featuring Winston Churchill is introduced today, but can you really put it in the washing machine?
IT'S all change for British currency, as today the new polymer fiver has been introduced.
Here's all you need to know, INCLUDING whether you can put it in the washing machine or not.
What does the new note look like?
The new note shares the traditional green and blue colour scheme, but other than that there are a lot of differences.
The plastic, polymer note is thinner and more flexible than the old note, to add to this it's 15% smaller than before.
The note features a transparent window that changes colour from purple to green, as well as a hologram of Blenheim palace, "Bank of England" written in raised print and a picture of the WW2 prime minister, Winston Churchill.
Why is the new polymer note better than the old one?
Due to its plastic nature, the new fiver resists dirt as so will be much cleaner than the traditional note.
You won't need to worry about crumpling it up in your pocket, as the polymer is also stronger and lasts 2.5 times longer than the paper fiver.
It's also good news for eco-warriors.
The polymer note is much better for the environment, because by lasting longer, less energy will need to be spent repeatedly printing, transporting and producing new notes
At the end of their life, they can even be recycled.
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When will the paper fiver no longer be valid?
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Historic pictures show Churchill on the front line in WWI
The waterproof nature of the notes means you no longer have to worry about getting your money wet.
What's more, the rumours are TRUE, you really can put the new fiver in the washing machine, as long as the temperature of the cycle doesn't go above 90 degrees Celsius.
The plastic can melt at really high temperatures, so best to avoid putting them near irons or tumble driers.
While only 0.0075% of notes are currently fraudulent, the new fiver is even harder to replicate.
How will the new £5 be introduced?
As of today, the plastic notes go into circulation, but they might take a few weeks to reach your pocket.
In the mean time you can continue to use the old fiver until May 2017.
If by next year, you still have any of the old £5 notes, it will be possible to exchange them at the Bank of England.
Will there be other polymer notes?
Yes, in Scotland a polymer £5 and £10 note will also be produced and by 2020 there will also be plastic £10 and £20 notes, as well as a new £1 coin.