Actually, I've been doing this for months, and I have to say it was me that suggested it to ARROW! Glad they're spreading it around. I don't take all the credit - it was simply an extension of the idea of writing indymedia addies on notes.

Anyway, a friend checked with the Bank of England, and while it is actually illegal to deface notes in any way, you have to be caught doing it, and all the shops I spend at are quite happy to take sloganised notes. In fact one local shop complains and hands me a pen if I don't present them with appropriately decorated currency!

The Bank states that any defaced notes remain legal tender no matter how much writing is on them, and shops should accept them (as I say, I've never had any problems). They helpfully added that if you do come across a stroppy shop-keeper, you can always exchange the note at any High Street bank, and as a last measure, the Bank of England itself would be quite happy to exchange it for you.

It's best to try and do it on fivers rather than bigger denominations, as these stay in circulation longer. Bigger notes tend to stay in shop tills and get taken to the bank more. At the banks though, all defaced notes are taken out of circulation, and an equivalent number have to be released into circulation - the money supply is carefully controlled.

So the whole point of this exercise is that the more it catches on, the more the government is directly aware that yet another form of protest is taking place.

Perfect, simple artistic protest.

Please spread this idea far and wide.

DISCLAIMER: This comment is for your information only - I do not suggest that anyone does this to real money, and I am not responsible for anyone else's actions:)