London attractions take new currency

Madame Tussaud's and the London Eye are among leading British tourist attractions which are ready to accept euros.

Many retailers have also confirmed their intention to accept the euro, with about one third of shops in Oxford Street willing to take it, according to research today.

Kelly Matthews from the London Eye confirmed the attraction will be accepting euros in cash from people who buy tickets at the entrance.

She said: "Change will be given in sterling as euros are not common in this country. We'll be setting a standard rate of exchange following the Bank of England's rates."

Other tourist attractions also ready to accept euros include Kensington Palace, Leeds Castle in Kent, Hampton Court, Chester Zoo, the London Planetarium, Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the Tower of London.

Others, such as Westminster Abbey and the National Railway Museum in York, are considering taking the euro and will think again next year if there is sufficient demand.

A spokesman for Britain in Europe, which conducted the research, said: "With 13 million tourists from the euro-zone visiting Britain every year, spending ? 4 billion, tourist attractions across the country are realising it makes sense to accept the new currency."