Urban animals such as rats, pigeons and seagulls should feature on banknotes, the RSPCA has said.
The charity made the suggestion after the Bank of England confirmed plans to change the current set of banknotes, with historical figures such as Sir Winston Churchill being replaced with British wildlife.
The proposal has created controversy, with a number of dissenting voices - Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the move “the definition of woke" and "absolutely crackers", while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, said that Churchill deserved “better than being replaced by a badger”.
The RSPCA welcomed the decision to showcase Britain’s native wildlife, but called for some of the UK’s most “overlooked” and “misunderstood” animals to feature.
Geoff Edmond, of the RSPCA, said: “Showcasing our native wildlife on everyday banknotes is a wonderful way to celebrate the animals that we share our towns, cities and countryside with – including the ones who don’t always make the ‘most popular’ lists.
“While some animals are obvious favourites, there are many amazing animals that we see every day that are often overlooked, or misunderstood.
“What about the pigeons who have been our friends for thousands of years, or rats, with their amazing memories, or even gulls, with their amazing levels of intelligence? They are all fascinating wild animals in their own right – and deserve recognition too.”
The Bank of England said the change was planned as images of wildlife would be more difficult to counterfeit, while featuring animals would celebrate nature.
A public consultation was held regarding a redesign last year, with the theme of nature winning with a majority of 60%, with architecture and landmarks at 56% and notable historical figures at 38%.
The Bank has not yet announced which animals will be featured, with an expert panel expected to create a shortlist on which the public will vote.
Example concepts mocked up by the Bank have featured beavers, stags, robins, red squirrels and puffins, while mock-ups designed by the RSPCA feature a pigeon on the £5 note, a fox on the £10 note, a gull on the £20 note, and a rat on the £50 note.
Historical figures were first featured on British banknotes more than 50 years ago, with William Shakespeare becoming the first non-monarch to be depicted.
Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing, currently feature on £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes respectively.
The use of cash in the UK has declined in recent years, as electronic payment methods have become more popular - but the Bank of England said it was still the preferred method of payment for around 15% of the population.
