NNP

Jane Austen is to become the face of the new £10 note after a public outcry that every banknote featured a man.

New Bank of England governor Mark Carney today unveiled the new design as a tribute to ‘one of the greatest writers in English literature’ which will appear from 2017.

The move comes after the Bank faced criticism that a plan for Winston Churchill to feature on the new fiver meant there would not be a woman on any English note.

After a public clamour to ensure a female face continued to appear on banknotes, former Bank of England governor Lord King hinted that Miss Austen was ‘waiting in the wings’ the next time a slot became available.

His successor Mr Carney said the inclusion of the Pride and Prejudice author would complete a line-up of ‘diverse’ individuals honoured on notes.

Austen will be only the third woman to appear on banknotes, following prison reformer Elizabeth Fry who is being replaced by Winston Churchill on £5 notes and pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale, who was previously on £10 notes.

The Austen £10 note will be issued within a year of the Churchill £5 note, which is expected to be available from 2016, the Bank of England said.

It will include the quote from Pride and Prejudice: ‘I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!’

To read the complete article, see: Revealed: First look at how Jane Austen will appear on the new tenner after outcry over men dominating every bank note (www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2376432/How-Jane-Austen-appear-new-10-bank-note-outcry-men-dominating.html)

To read a related BBC news article, see: Jane Austen to be face of the Bank of England £10 note (www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23424289)