I always was sympathetic enough to shop assistants looking confused. NI has, what, 4 different types of £10, one for Ulster, Northern, First Trust, and BOI. They don't look familiar to them.

Interesting...I had no idea about the legal tender stuff. I used to get frustrated when I'd get confused/suspicious looks at uni in England, but then I realised those pink £20 notes do look pretty odd. Still, it's no fun spending ten minutes trying to explain Northern Irish currency to your Eastern European pizza delivery boy outside in the middle of winter.

Howard, I wouldn't say I blame them particularly either, though it is a pain in the arse. Frankly I'd be happy if they renamed the BoE and abolished the local notes altogether.

"A spokesman for HM Treasury said that moves are under way to ensure notes from Northern Ireland and Scotland have the same standing in England as Bank of England notes."

Legally I dont see how they cannot do this. NI/Scottish/Manx/Channel Island banknotes are effectively nothing more than IOU's issued by private banks. Bank of England (& Wales ?) notes are Government backed legal tender issued by a state owned central bank.

Lets face it. We are probably stuck with this ridiculous arrangement will continue until the UK joins the Euro.

Mike, I know what you're saying which is why I find this so intriguing. You'd expect the Treasury spokesman to be aware of the situation so hopefully he's not speaking from a position of ignorance, but it does seem odd.