TRAVELLERS and holiday-makers on Sheppey have been snapping up the new European currency. About £3,000 worth of the new euro was delivered to Sheerness Travel Agency in Sheerness, yesterday - the day after it came into circulation across the Continent.

By the end of the day, it was all gone. Manager Malcolm Hardy said: "It has been very busy. Everybody is used to different rates, so it is a bit confusing, but the euro has been well accepted so far."

The nearby Travel Centre has been making transactions in euros for the last six months. Director George Poule said: "We have been paying for our clients' hotels around Europe in euros."

He said the single currency made life easier for the holiday industry and tourists. He said: "It is easier to understand because before, we had to think about francs, deutche marks, escudos, pesetas, lira, etc. That's enough to give you a headache.

"But now you only have to think about the euro. It's a pity we knock it all the time."

Advance orders for the currency were placed at Lunn Poly, High Street, Sheerness.

Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt gave the euro a cautious welcome. He said: "This is very good news for those who have to travel a lot into Europe. However, there's no reason why we should be bounced into an early referendum on British entry. We have to wait until the economic tests have been met."