The euro is making its first appearance in Keighley holidaymakers' purses from this week.

The currency adopted by 12 European countries became valid on New Year's Day.

Although it has not been adopted by the UK it will still have a big impact on business and travel.

Matthew Barker, foreign exchange cashier at Keighley's Travelcare travel agency, in the Airedale Centre, said: "People are not going to be used to what they're spending. They like pesetas and francs, so this is going to be a big change.

"Exchange rates are going to be very confusing."

But on the up side Marcus Booth, manager of Low Street's Althams Travel Services, said: "People can now go across four or five different EU countries without needing four or five different currencies."

Shopper Barry Smith, of Silsden, was not so enthusiastic. He said: "I think it's rubbish. I go to Belgium and France four or five times a year and Belgian people don't acknowledge it.

"I have a friend in Belgium who works for an engineering company there and he doesn't like the idea.

"It will eventually come over here and we'll have it forced on us. It's another way of increasing prices."

A woman shopper, who did not wish to be named, said: "It will just creep in. It will do the same as decimalisation and just come in.

"We're not going away so it won't affect us now."

The 12 countries introducing the euro are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Britain -- along with EU partners Sweden and Denmark -- has decided against adopting the common currency at this stage, maintaining a wait-and-see stance.