TRAVELLERS from East Lancashire will be among the first in the country to be given the opportunity to buy the new euro currency when it comes into full operation next week.

The new currency will be available as notes or travellers' cheques at the bureau de change counters at Manchester Airport from 5.30am on New Year's Day.

The bureau will also stock foreign currency from the countries using both the euro and their old notes and coinage at the start of the year -- though travel experts are advising travellers to start using just the euro.

France, Austria, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Germany, Ireland and Spain are all countries in the so-called Eurozone which have opted to unite in using the euro. Travellers have January and February to get used to the new coins and notes, alongside the traditional currency of the participating countries.

But when the changeover period finishes at the end of February the euro will be the only currency available in all the countries making the change.

Tim Alexander, area manager of North West Airports, said: "Our advice for New Year holidaymakers is to take euro currency and euro travellers' cheques.

"That way they can start getting used to the money."

After the end of February holidaymakers and business passengers with former national currencies will be able to change notes at airport bureaux de change until the end of December 2002.