By . Sophie Jane Evans . Britain's first plastic banknotes are set to enter circulation in March 2015 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Forth Bridge, it has been announced. Two million of the £5 notes will be released by Clydesdale Bank to coincide with the anniversary of the opening of the rail bridge in east Scotland in 1890. The polymer notes are claimed to be more durable than existing currency - and also apparently stay cleaner for longer, are more difficult to counterfeit and are at least 2.5 times longer-lasting. Commemoration: Britain's first plastic banknotes are set to enter circulation in March 2015 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Forth Bridge, it has been announced. Above, Scottish Secretary of State Alistair Carmichael, Cabinet Secretary for Culture Fiona Hyslop (centre), and Clydesdale Bank executive director Debbie Crosbie . They will be introduced in Scotland ahead of England, where the Bank of England plans to issue them for the first time in 2016. The Clydesdale Bank note, which is smaller than the existing currency, also celebrates the nomination of the Forth Bridge for inclusion in Unesco’s World Heritage List in 2014. It features the image of Sir William Arrol, one of Scotland’s most celebrated engineers, whose company constructed the Forth Bridge, which connects Edinburgh with Fife. Debbie Crosbie, executive director at Clydesdale Bank, said: 'Clydesdale Bank is very proud to commemorate the Forth Bridge on our new £5 note. Made from plastic: Two million of the £5 notes will be released by Clydesdale Bank to coincide with the anniversary of the opening of the rail bridge in east Scotland in 1890. Above, what the notes will look like . Renowned: Mr Carmichael said the Forth Bridge 'truly reflects Scotland's position as a pioneer of engineering' 'The structure is renowned across the world as an incredible feat of engineering so it was a fitting choice for a ground-breaking new banknote. 'We continue to lead the way in banknote development and, following the successful introduction of a new series of notes with ‘Depth Image’ holograms in 2009, we are now at the forefront in polymer currency. 'The Forth Bridge’s super structure certainly lends itself to the intricate processes of banknote printing, combining security, durability and an aesthetically-striking design.' The bank said it has not yet made a decision about introducing plastic notes generally, but added that the new note will include a Spark Orbital security feature for the first time on UK currency. Design: The polymer notes will be introduced in Scotland ahead of England, where the Bank of England plans to issue them for the first time in 2016. Above, posters showing the design of the English polymer banknotes . Today, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael MP said he was 'pleased' that Clydesdale Bank will commemorate the Forth Bridge on its new £5 note. 'The Forth Bridge truly reflects Scotland’s position as a pioneer of engineering, construction and its recent nomination to become a Unesco World Heritage site reflects its global status,' he said. 'As this new note becomes part of everyday life in villages, towns, cities and communities across the country, it will serve as a fitting tribute to the vision of Sir William Arrol and all the people who have contributed to the building, maintenance and restoration of the bridge in its 124-year history.' Contrast: The banknotes in circulation in England and Scotland today are made from cotton paper . In December, the Bank of England announced that it plans to issue plastic banknotes for the first time from 2016, when a new £5 note featuring Sir Winston Churchill will appear. A £10 note, also made from polymer rather than cotton paper and featuring Jane Austen, will follow around a year later. Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, welcomed the launch of the Clydesdale banknote. 'Today we are celebrating two eras of Scotland’s innovation and foresight,' she said. 'The introduction of this innovative new banknote featuring the iconic Forth Bridge as a symbol of Scotland’s engineering heritage and ingenuity is very welcome. 'We are immensely proud of the Forth Bridge and its nomination for inclusion in Unesco’s World Heritage List. 'The launch of this banknote is such a fitting way to mark this nomination and Sir William Arrol’s work and I applaud the Clydesdale Bank for this gesture.' Meanwhile, Sara Thiam, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Scotland, said: 'Sir William Arrol is one of Scotland’s most prolific civil engineers. 'Brought up in the Glasgow area, he developed methods of working and techniques which are still used today and is responsible for three of the world’s most iconic bridges - the Forth Rail Bridge, the Tay Rail Bridge and London’s iconic Tower Bridge. 'His legacy is littered with engineering ‘firsts’ so it is fitting that he is to feature on this celebratory first plastic banknote and underlines the vital contribution of civil engineers to society, past and present.'
Clydesdale Bank is set to release two million of the £5 notes in March 2015 .
Plastic notes are apparently longer-lasting and more difficult to counterfeit .
Will be introduced in Scotland first - and are likely to enter England in 2016 .
Release marks the 125th anniversary of the Forth Bridge in east Scotland .
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says he is 'pleased' by bank's plans .
By . Sophie Jane Evans . Britain's first plastic banknotes are set to enter circulation in March 2015 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Forth Bridge, it has been announced. Two million of the £5 notes will be released by Clydesdale Bank to coincide with the anniversary of the opening of the rail bridge in east Scotland in 1890. The polymer notes are claimed to be more durable than existing currency - and also apparently stay cleaner for longer, are more difficult to counterfeit and are at least 2.5 times longer-lasting. Commemoration: Britain's first plastic banknotes are set to enter circulation in March 2015 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Forth Bridge, it has been announced. Above, Scottish Secretary of State Alistair Carmichael, Cabinet Secretary for Culture Fiona Hyslop (centre), and Clydesdale Bank executive director Debbie Crosbie . They will be introduced in Scotland ahead of England, where the Bank of England plans to issue them for the first time in 2016. The Clydesdale Bank note, which is smaller than the existing currency, also celebrates the nomination of the Forth Bridge for inclusion in Unesco’s World Heritage List in 2014. It features the image of Sir William Arrol, one of Scotland’s most celebrated engineers, whose company constructed the Forth Bridge, which connects Edinburgh with Fife. Debbie Crosbie, executive director at Clydesdale Bank, said: 'Clydesdale Bank is very proud to commemorate the Forth Bridge on our new £5 note. Made from plastic: Two million of the £5 notes will be released by Clydesdale Bank to coincide with the anniversary of the opening of the rail bridge in east Scotland in 1890. Above, what the notes will look like . Renowned: Mr Carmichael said the Forth Bridge 'truly reflects Scotland's position as a pioneer of engineering' 'The structure is renowned across the world as an incredible feat of engineering so it was a fitting choice for a ground-breaking new banknote. 'We continue to lead the way in banknote development and, following the successful introduction of a new series of notes with ‘Depth Image’ holograms in 2009, we are now at the forefront in polymer currency. 'The Forth Bridge’s super structure certainly lends itself to the intricate processes of banknote printing, combining security, durability and an aesthetically-striking design.' The bank said it has not yet made a decision about introducing plastic notes generally, but added that the new note will include a Spark Orbital security feature for the first time on UK currency. Design: The polymer notes will be introduced in Scotland ahead of England, where the Bank of England plans to issue them for the first time in 2016. Above, posters showing the design of the English polymer banknotes . Today, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael MP said he was 'pleased' that Clydesdale Bank will commemorate the Forth Bridge on its new £5 note. 'The Forth Bridge truly reflects Scotland’s position as a pioneer of engineering, construction and its recent nomination to become a Unesco World Heritage site reflects its global status,' he said. 'As this new note becomes part of everyday life in villages, towns, cities and communities across the country, it will serve as a fitting tribute to the vision of Sir William Arrol and all the people who have contributed to the building, maintenance and restoration of the bridge in its 124-year history.' Contrast: The banknotes in circulation in England and Scotland today are made from cotton paper . In December, the Bank of England announced that it plans to issue plastic banknotes for the first time from 2016, when a new £5 note featuring Sir Winston Churchill will appear. A £10 note, also made from polymer rather than cotton paper and featuring Jane Austen, will follow around a year later. Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, welcomed the launch of the Clydesdale banknote. 'Today we are celebrating two eras of Scotland’s innovation and foresight,' she said. 'The introduction of this innovative new banknote featuring the iconic Forth Bridge as a symbol of Scotland’s engineering heritage and ingenuity is very welcome. 'We are immensely proud of the Forth Bridge and its nomination for inclusion in Unesco’s World Heritage List. 'The launch of this banknote is such a fitting way to mark this nomination and Sir William Arrol’s work and I applaud the Clydesdale Bank for this gesture.' Meanwhile, Sara Thiam, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Scotland, said: 'Sir William Arrol is one of Scotland’s most prolific civil engineers. 'Brought up in the Glasgow area, he developed methods of working and techniques which are still used today and is responsible for three of the world’s most iconic bridges - the Forth Rail Bridge, the Tay Rail Bridge and London’s iconic Tower Bridge. 'His legacy is littered with engineering ‘firsts’ so it is fitting that he is to feature on this celebratory first plastic banknote and underlines the vital contribution of civil engineers to society, past and present.'
banknotes are set to enter circulation in March £5 notes will be released by Clydesdale Bank to cleaner for longer, are more difficult to longer-lasting. Commemoration: Britain's first March 2015 to mark the 125th anniversary of the million of the £5 notes will be released by introduced in Scotland ahead of England, where Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael MP said he proud of the Forth Bridge and its nomination for