CHRISTMAS is over and thoughts may be turning to summer holidays or even a short winter break in Europe.

But now euro notes and coins are in circulation and the euro has become the national currency of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

These 12 countries form the eurozone while Britain, Denmark and Sweden stay out by not adopting the euro at this time.

There will be a crossover period when shops in most of the 12 eurozone countries will accept their old currencies. However, this varies from country to country.

For eight of the eurozone countries this will be the end of February. However, in France the deadline is February 17, Ireland February 9, and The Netherlands January 29.

But in Germany the deadline has already passed - it was midnight on December 31, 2001. So you must have euros if you are travelling to Germany.

If you have any of the old currencies after these deadline dates you will be able to exchange them at banks in the eurozone, although, again, there is a time limit. Up until June most will exchange without commission, after that commission will be charged. Most banks in Britain will change currency notes, but usually with a commission fee.

Buying euros with sterling will be no different to the way in which we used to buy francs, drachmas and lire. The best advice is still to shop around to find the best conversion rates and lowest commission charges.

Euro notes will come in denominations of five, ten, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. A euro consists of 100 cents and cents coins will be in denominations of one, two, five, ten, 20 and 50. There will also be one and two Euro coins.

It may take time to get used to euros and their value. Care should be taken not to pay in euros for prices still listed in old currencies during the changeover period. The advantage for travellers though is that they will be able to use euro coins and notes produced in one Eurozone country in any of the other Eurozone countries. In addition, any small notes and coins left over at the end of a holiday in Greece, for example, can simply be kept without any worries as to whether they will ever be used again.

- For further advice on this or any other consumer matter, contact City of York Trading Standards, tel 01904 551562 or call at 9 St Leonard's Place, York.

The fax number is 01904 551590 and the email address is trading.standards@york.gov.uk.

Updated: 09:18 Thursday, January 10, 2002