FOR 13 years it has enjoyed national recognition, constant attention and a place in the pocket of pretty much everyone in the land.

But after today, one of Darlington's most famous landmarks, Skerne Bridge, and the part it played in the birth of the railways, will be buried a little bit deeper in history.

The bridge, which still stands a few hundred yards from the town's Railway Centre and Museum in North Road, is depicted on the George Stephenson £5 note, which ceases to be legal tender after today.

The back of the note, which came into circulation on June 7, 1990, sees Stephenson's Darlington and Stockton Railway's Locomotion No 1 crossing the bridge, as well as drawings of the Rocket, Stephenson himself and Timothy Hackworth's old engine winding house.

The illustration is flawed as it shows stone slabs projecting from the top of the Skerne Bridge, which do not exist.

Of the 211 million £5 notes in circulation, about 43 million are Stephenson notes and the Bank of England's decision to withdraw them has saddened rail enthusiasts.

John Wilks, acting heritage manager at the railway museum, said: "We are obviously quite sad that it's not going to be around anymore.

"It was literally a little piece of Darlington in people's pockets."

Angela Brockbank, Darlington's railway and associated heritage project officer, agreed.

"It is definitely a shame. The museum was very proud that this was on there. This is an important part of our heritage.

"We featured it quite prominently on our visitor leaflets so we're having to change those as well."

A new £5 note featuring 19th Century prison reformer Elizabeth Fry was brought in last year to gradually replace the Stephenson note. Darlingtonians can take heart because there is still a link with the town. Fry, a Quaker philanthropist, is known to have visited Darlington at least twice.

* After today most retail outlets will not accept the note but most banks, building societies, and post offices will continue to do so for several months at their discretion. The Stephenson note will remain payable forever at the Bank of England in Threadneedle Street, London.