A FREE guide to the single European currency, which is due to replace 12 national currencies at the end of the year, has been published by Lloyds TSB.

Keeping You Posted About The Euro includes information on using and getting cash, key dates in the euro calendar, dual pricing, using debit/credit cards and travellers cheques, exchanging money, as well as listing useful euro websites.

Gerry Ryan, euro communications manger for Lloyds TSB, said euro coins and notes will only be available from January 1 next year, although items abroad will be priced in both local and euro currencies this year.

By the end of February 2002 local currencies will no longer be legal tenders in the euro countries.

Mr Ryan added: "Anyone travelling to the participating countries this year should bring back as few national notes and coins as possible as they will be invalid early in 2002. People should either spend them or exchange them."

The free booklet is available from Lloyds TSB branches.