A bird enthusiast is campaigning for pigeons to be included on the £20 banknote - as he claims they are “national treasures” who contribute as much as the King.
Tom Charter has always admired the humble pigeon - even dedicating his life's work as an artist to honouring Britain's most polarising birds.
So when the 29-year-old heard that the Bank of England was gathering the public's views on what wildlife should feature on the next series of banknotes, Tom felt certain it had to be the pigeon.
Tom believes pigeons' contribution during the Second World War is the reason why the birds have earned a place on our banknotes.
During the war, birds carried vital messages about troop positions and early news of the D-Day landings.
Tom says the winged creatures have been wrongfully branded as “vermin” despite their valiant efforts 80 years ago.
Currently, the £20 note features artist JMW Turner on the back and a portrait of King Charles III on the front.
And Tom believes the common pigeon should take its pride of place on the note alongside the monarch.
Tom, who lives in Ashford, Kent, said: "I have loved pigeons for a very long time. They're around us every day and just have little characters about them.
"They're just really misunderstood birds and get quite a bad name, and I want to change that.
"I saw the Bank of England were drawing up a shortlist for the summer for the public to vote on the wildlife they want [on banknotes] and saw people were talking about the beautiful birds like the robin or raven, but thought hang on a minute there's a bird that lives with us every single day.
"They're urban wildlife, they still deserve a spot as well. I just straight away thought it has to be a pigeon and it has to be on the £20 note because it's so perfect.
"Pigeons are war heroes. They saved thousands of British lives in World War Two, yet people treat them like vermin today.
"We used them then sort of forgot about them as a nation. I think it's a bird of the people.
"This would be an appreciation - they deserve it."
He added: "The King and pigeon have both contributed to society. If you have a pigeon and a king, that's amazing.
"That just sums up what Britain is all about. Why not put a pigeon on with the King? I think that's incredible.
"The support for the petition has been amazing. It just shows they're a really underappreciated bird.
"And if you give people the chance, they'll support the pigeon in numbers.
"We need to stop this vermin narrative and recognise the animals that live alongside us.
"It's a way to celebrate the pigeon and what the pigeon has done for us all.
"I think they're a national treasure, whether they're an animal or not."
To sign the petition, visit here: https://www.change.org/p/put-a-pigeon-on-the-uk-20-banknote
