And finally…artist turns fivers into £20,000 golden tickets

Tiny engravings of author Jane Austen and quotes from some of her most famous literary works have been put on the new Bank of England notes and could be worth more than £20,000.

Artist Graham Short teamed up with Kelso art gallery owner Tony Huggins-Haig for the venture, which they hope will encourage more people to visit galleries.

The last piece that Mr Short, a specialist micro-engraver, sold - a portrait of the queen on a pinhead - sold for £100,000.

Mr Short came up with the idea of engraving a 5mm portrait of Pride and Prejudice author Jane Austen on the transparent part of the new plastic Bank of England £5 notes, to mark the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death next year.

He has included a different quote around each one, ensuring that each note is unique.

The artist and Mr Huggins-Haig decided that rather than auction them globally, they would simply hand them out secretly and - after launching new art collections in Kelso at the weekend - the first one was spent in a nearby shop.

Mr Huggins-Haig, who runs the Tony Huggins-Haig Gallery, said: “We came up with the idea with the notes to commemorate Jane Austen. It will get someone who potentially wouldn’t necessarily go into a gallery, to visit. There are four in circulation for anybody to find.”

The 5mm portraits of Jane Austen on the note are near a picture of the Big Ben and alongside a tiny pound sign, while her quotes surround the portrait of her.

Mr Huggins-Haig added: “It’s almost like Willy Wonka and the golden ticket. Hopefully four wonderful people will have a great Christmas. Art is for everybody.”

Anyone finding one of the notes has been advised to contact the gallery in Kelso.

They will provide advice on how to put the artwork up for auction or hold onto it in the hope it increases in value.

The four notes have the serial numbers AM32 885551, AM32 885552, AM32 885553 and AM32 885554.