New £1 coin hits the streets... but will take time to reach Shropshire

Not that we will notice. It is expected to take many days for the 12-sided coin to make its way in any numbers into Shropshire.

The introduction of the coin has created a headache because its shape is different to the existing £1.

Vending machines and supermarket trolley locks are among the mechanisms that have had to be altered, at great expense to those who own them.

Both £1 coins will exist alongside each other until October 15, when the olf coin will be withdrawn.

Why is it being introduced? – There have been concerns about the old round pound's vulnerability to sophisticated counterfeiters – around one in every 30 round pounds is a dud. The new £1 coin boasts new security features.

What security features does the new £1 coin have? – The features include its 12-sided shape, its bi-metallic structure with a gold-coloured outer ring and a silver-coloured inner ring and an image that changes from a "£" symbol to the number "1" when seen from different angles. It also has micro lettering and milled edges.

What other features does it have? – The coin's design reflects England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a rose, a thistle, a leek and a shamrock. The fifth coin portrait of the Queen, designed by Royal Mint coin designer Jody Clark, is featured. The coin is thinner and lighter than the old coin but its diameter is slightly larger.

Any other design features? – The coin is designed so that it won't leave a hole in your pocket – quite literally. Although it has 12 sides, they merge into one smooth contour. That is because defined edges have the ability to wear away fabric.

Zoe Mortimer, Shropshire Council's engineering and contracts manager for parking, said: "We have been working closely with the suppliers of our parking equipment to put the necessary software and equipment upgrades in place.

"We have had three out of our four suppliers' machines changed already to accept the new £1 coin, and the machines of the fourth supplier will follow shortly. We aim to minimise any disruption to our customers."

In Telford & Wrekin all the ticket machines in the town's major car parks have been updated as well as those in a number of visitor attractions including the Ironbridge Gorge.

However, in Powys, pay and display machines won't accept new £1 coin.

The council plans to replace over 60 ticket machines over the coming months with new machines, which will be able accept the new 12-sided coin. The new machines will be installed before the old coin is phased out.

Councillor John Brunt, cabinet member for highways, said: "We took the decision not to upgrade the current machines so it could accept the new £1 coin because some of the machines are more than 20 years old and may have not been able to be upgraded.

"We are now waiting for delivery of the new machines. We want to warn motorists that the current machines will not accept the new £1 coin. Please ensure you have either the current £1 coin or the right change when you plan to park in one of our pay and display car parks."

Major supermarkets have already calibrated their trolleys – although Tesco has had to unlock trolleys in some of its stores because the changes have not been made in time.

Arriva Trains Wales is among train companies that have also been hatrd at work. Its spokesman James Nicholas said: "We have 57 ticket vending machines accepting cash across the Wales and Borders network and that the last of these will be re-calibrated to accept the new £1 by the end of the week."

Around £1.3 billion worth of coins are stored in savings jars across the country, and the current £1 coin accounts for nearly a third of these, the Government said.

The new £1 coin, which resembles the old threepenny bit, has been hailed as "the most secure coin in the world". It boasts several new security features, including a hologram.