A shortage of quality five pound notes has led the Bank of England to turn to post offices and High Street retailer Marks & Spencer to distribute used fivers.

This unprecedented move to distribute cash directly rather than through the banks follows the commercial banks' rejection of requests to get more five pound notes into peoples' wallets.

They've been reluctant to stock cash machines with five pound notes because using higher denominations allows longer periods between refilling.

The Bank of England says it's concerned about the quantity and quality of the notes in circulation.