Full list of locations stocking first King Charles bank notes from today

The first bank notes featuring King Charles III's portrait will enter circulation from today. The new banknotes will co-circulate alongside those featuring Queen Elizabeth II.

The portrait of Charles will appear on all four banknotes the £5, £10, £20 and £50 with no other alterations to the existing designs. However, people may only start to see the new notes appear in their change very gradually.

There are more than 4.6 billion Bank of England notes in circulation, worth about £82 billion. In line with guidance from the Royal Household, the new notes will only be printed to replace those that are worn, and to meet any overall increase in demand. The approach aims to minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change.

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Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said: "We're very pleased to be issuing the new King Charles banknotes. This is a historic moment, as it's the first time we've changed the sovereign on our notes. We know that cash is important for many people, and we are committed to providing banknotes for as long as the public demand them. Bringing these new notes into circulation is a demonstration of that commitment."

In April, Charles was presented with the first banknotes bearing his portrait. He praised them as "very well designed" and expressed his surprise at being only the second monarch to feature.

The Bank of England has been issuing banknotes since the 17th century, but it wasn't until 1960 that Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to be featured on a £1 paper note. Now, the public can get their hands on the new currency featuring King Charles III at select Post Office locations.

One notable branch offering the updated banknotes is located in Poundbury, Dorset, which embodies the architectural vision of King Charles. Poundbury, an extension of the town of Dorchester, was developed in the 1990s to integrate commercial and residential spaces with shops and leisure facilities, promoting a community-centric, walkable environment.

Initially, the participating Post Offices will stock the new £5, £10, and £20 notes. Over the next few days and weeks, thousands of Post Offices across the country will start circulating the redesigned currency.

Commenting on the release, Karen Stonham, the branch manager at Portsmouth Post Office, also among the first to offer the new notes, said: "Our local customers come into our branch every day to withdraw or deposit cash for their daily needs, so we were excited to be one of the first branches to have the new banknotes available."

While current banknotes bearing Queen Elizabeth II's image are still valid, those eager to see the new King Charles III banknotes can now do so. The Bank of England has made arrangements for the public to access a limited quantity of these new banknotes.

The Bank of England has initiated a postal exchange service, operational from June 5 to 30, with a cap of £300 for each customer. Those interested can find an application form and additional information on the Bank of England's website.

Additionally, the Bank of England counter at Threadneedle Street in central London will start distributing new notes featuring King Charles III from June 5 to 11, adhering to the same £300 limit per individual.

Below is a list of locations and postcodes for Post Office branches where the new notes will initially be accessible on the launch day, with a broader distribution to other branches anticipated in the subsequent weeks:

• Piccadilly Plaza (Manchester), M2 1BB.

• Sunderland City, SR1 1RR.

• Portsmouth, PO1 1AB.

• Birmingham, B2 4AA.

• The City of London, EC2M 5TE.

• Moorgate, EC2M 5TE.

• Broadway, SW1H 0AX.

• Great Massingham, PE31 6HP.

• Tetbury, GL8 8DB.

• Minchinhampton, GL6 9BN.

• Windsor, SL4 1AA.

• Houndsditch, E1 7BS.

• Woodstock, OX20 1SP.

• Poundbury, DT1 3AZ.

Visitors to the Bank of England Museum have already had the opportunity to preview the new banknotes as part of its 'Future Of Money' exhibition. Graham Mott, director of strategy at ATM and cash access network Link, commented: "While more people are paying for things online or using contactless cards, cash use remains popular, with over 70 per cent of adults spending cash at least once a fortnight.

"As King Charles III banknotes begin to enter circulation, they will steadily be available through all cash machines as worn notes are withdrawn."