Bank of England's supplier looking at 'potential solutions' after uproar at animal fat in £5 notes

Sir Winston Churchill features on the new £5 note. Credit: PA

The Bank of England's supplier for its new £5 note is looking at "potential solutions" after vegetarians and vegans reacted with fury when it emerged that animal fat is used to make the money.

The Bank said it was "aware of some people's concerns" about traces of the derivative, known as tallow, in its polymer note since being introduced into circulation in September.

It said it was treating the concerns with the "utmost respect" and was in discussion with its supplier, Innovia.

However, it previously pointed out that tallow is used to make candles and soap.

The new £5 notes were issued in September. Credit: PA

In a statement, the Bank said: "This issue has only just come to light, and the Bank did not know about it when the contract was signed.

"Information recently provided by our supplier, Innovia, and its supply chain shows that an extremely small amount of tallow is used in an early stage of the production process of polymer pellets, which are then used to create the base substrate for the £5 note.

"Innovia is now working intensively with its supply chain and will keep the Bank informed on progress towards potential solutions."

Doug Maw, who started a petition against its use, said he was "disgusted" a more suitable alternative had not been sourced.

Mr Maw, a 47-year-old hotel worker from Keswick in Cumbria, said: "There is no excuse for it. There has got to be other ways of making money without using animal products."

More than 100,000 people have since signed the petition and some have threatened to boycott the plastic notes and said they would "refuse" to use them.