WINTER sun seekers are being urged to order euro notes and travellers' cheques in advance following an unprecedented rush on the new currency.

The euro became legal tender on January 1 in 12 popular holiday destinations, leading to an unexpected demand on limited stocks.

This week, Thomas Cook reported that as deliveries of new notes arrived in Darlington, Stockton and Northallerton, they were immediately snapped up by holidaymakers and enthusiasts wanting to be among the first to own them.

Mr Andrew Brown, head of the foreign exchange bureaux, said: "Many of our shops have been very busy selling out of the euro notes almost as soon as they have arrived.

"Our planning means we will maintain stocks as much as possible, but as each bureau can only hold a certain amount of the currency they may run out towards the end of the day.

"If you are planning to travel in the next few weeks we suggest you order your euro notes and travellers cheques now."

The branch in the Big W in Stockton was one of only eight Thomas Cook bureaux across the country to begin selling the euro on January 1.

Thomas Cook will continue to change old bank notes from the 12 eurozone countries back into sterling free of charge until the end of February.

l Unused loose change from countries that have adopted the euro is being collected by Children in Need and Age Concern.

The 12 countries that have switched are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Age Concern's Fight the Freeze appeal is backed by the Co-op whose food stores are acting as collection points for foreign coins.

A spokesman said: "Leftover pesetas or lira seem like small change, but can help Age Concern make a big difference to the lives of many older people up and down the country."

It is estimated that as much as £100m in small change is still lying around in people's homes.