Rotherham opts in with its own single currency

"WHERE THERE'S euros, there's brass is not yet a South Yorkshire dictum but it will be one day," said Denis MacShane, the Labour MP for Rotherham. His constituency yesterday provided the launchpad of the Rotherham euro - a precursor to the European currency that comes into being early next century.

The hundreds of euro bank notes given away in the town centre were, in fact, 70p shopping vouchers which couldn't buy much except time in a multi-storey car park and a discount on anything over pounds 10 at a number of shops.

But, said Mr MacShane, it was a way of getting people talking about the euro.

The majority of European Union countries will use the euro to replace their national currencies from January 1999. It will be in use on the financial markets although coins and notes will not be issued until January 2002.

Mr MacShane's idea is backed by Rotherham's business community. As from 1 January British Steel, the town's biggest employer, starts invoicing and paying customers in Europe in euros.

In Rotherham, Gillian Riley, 40, said: "The real euro has got to be simpler, we'll all be able to use the same currency in everything."

Training specialist Peter Walker, 48, wanted to show the Rotherham euro to colleagues in Belgium. "They will be interested to know what we are doing and really in the long run the euro will be a saving although it will cost something to make the change."

Cafe owner Michael Meares, 35, said: "I was going to offer 70p off a meal if a customer presented a Rotherham euro but decided to give free tea or coffee instead because I know it wouldn't work. It will be a while before the idea of a euro sinks in with the people of Rotherham. They don't like change and they are very careful with their money."