The Government is to mark the first day of Britain’s departure from the European Union with the launch of an international advertising campaign telling foreign businesses the UK is “ready to trade” with them.

The new ‘Ready to Trade’ campaign will be launched with posters and billboards in 17 cities across 13 countries outside the EU on February 1, the day after Brexit day.

Downing Street says the campaign “seeks to deepen our relationships with future global partners” and features striking images of the union flag, including red, white and blue container units on a freight ship.

An advertising campaign will also be launched in the UK tomorrow, with the message ‘This Friday the UK leaves the EU’, urging businesses here to check for any changes they need to make ahead of January 2021, when the Brexit transition period comes to an end.

Brexit day itself will be marked with a number of initiatives, including a commemorative 50p coin.

Three million of the coins will go into circulation from the 31 January, with a further 7 million entering circulation later this year.