Europa features on new €5 note

A NEW five-euro note enters circulation in France today - the first in a new series of notes called "Europe" from the European Central Bank.

The note features a portrait of Europa, the mythical Greek princess, based on a 4th century ceramic vase on display at the Louvre in Paris.

Other denominations will follow in the coming years, with the next one - €10 - expected in 2014.

New security features are included in a bid to tackle counterfeit notes. European Central Bank president Mario Draghi said the new series of notes would "more intelligent and more secure than the first series".

He added: "The euro has over the years become the most visible symbol of European integration" - and that the new notes "continue to reflect the unity and diversity of our continent".

The notes include some text in Cyrillic, following the arrival of Bulgaria in the monetary union in 2007.