Shares in bank note printer De La Rue slumped 34 per cent as investor confidence was rocked by a profits warning.

De La Rue warned interim profits were likely to be significantly below last year's £100.9 million.

Last year saw a surge in orders following the introduction of the euro as eurozone countries made sure they had sufficient cash for the changeover.

Most countries have national mints but turn to the commercial sector and companies such as De La Rue to fulfil overspill orders.

This, however, had not been repeated this year.