Forget the day trips across the Channel, you could get a taste of continental Europe right here in Kent this summer.

That is the view of Chris Kirkham, manager of Discover Folkestone, who is encouraging businesses to accept euros to accommodate an increased number of foreign visitors.

The rise comes as the global recession sent the value of sterling plummeting against the euro, giving foreign holidaymakers the chance of a cheap break in the UK - and restaurants, pubs, bars and hotels are being urged to take advantage.

Mr Kirkham added: "At the moment a pound is basically worth a euro. That isn’t rocket science and won’t be too hard to manage, and I’m sure visitors will be more than happy to accept their change in sterling.

Audio: Chris Kirkham talks to reporter Nick Poskitt about his desire for businesses to take euros

"You’re not going to need two floats in your till or anything. I don’t think it’s going to be a major issue for most shop owners."

The owner of local restaurant La Tavernetta claimed not to have been inundated with requests to pay with euros - but said the restaurant would accept them.

He said: "I think we've only ever accepted them once before - but we are prepared to take them if a customer wants to pay using euros."

As well as overseas tourists, Mr Kirkham suggested the move could also benefit cash-strapped Kent residents, who may have a few euros lying around from previous trips.

He added: "There are so many places to go for a day visit. You don't need to go anywhere else to have a perfectly good holiday - and if you can spend some leftover euros in local shops all the better."