A famous author with links to Kent has appeared on the new plastic £10 note.

Pride and Prejudice author Jane Austen has a family tree firmly rooted in the county, with strong links to the Ashford borough.

She has replaced evolutionist Charles Darwin on the new note - which was released by the Bank of England today.

The new tenner is the first note with a tactile feature to help blind and partially-sighted users.

Similar to the £5 note already in circulation featuring Sir Winston Churchill, it is made from polymer.

Austen's links to the county come through her brother, Edward Austen Knight, who was adopted by Thomas and Catherine Knight when he was 12 years old.

The couple owned the Godmersham Park estate on the A28 between Canterbury and Ashford.

Austen - who died 200 years ago - frequently visited the village until 1813, and spent months there with her brother and his family.

Letters to her sister Cassandra describe socialising in Canterbury as well as visiting other east Kent towns.

Some are on display at the Godmersham Park Heritage Centre and collections are available in libraries throughout Kent.

The new note also features a drawing of Godmersham Park.