HSBC Bank is collecting coins which will become obsolete when a single currency is introduced in 12 European countries next year.

Bank branches will accept the coins until February 28 and the bank will match the customer donations before handing the cash over to UNICEF to help with children's education projects around the world. Chief executive Bill Dalton said: "With around £52 million in eurozone coins gathering dust in tins, jars and drawers across the country, anyone who supports our project could contribute to one of the largest ever, one-off donations to UNICEF."