Britain's new plastic banknotes are prone to sticking together meaning shoppers are at risk of handing over two at once, the Bank of England has admitted.

It has emerged that the polymer-coating on freshly made notes can affix to each other, proving irritating for people who accidentally end up paying twice when settling cash bills.

The first plastic tender to enter circulation will be a new £5 note featuring Winston Churchill, which is being unveiled on Thursday ahead of its launch in September. Today's paper £5 notes will be formally withdrawn before the new polymer £10 note is introduced in 2017.