It was really refreshing to read that the landlord of the Rose and Crown pub in Worthing was enterprising enough to try to "go with the euro" (The Argus, January 5) - and this in a town where supporters of the local ruling party sported "Say No To Europe" badges at the last elections.

Unfortunately, the banks treat the euro as a foreign currency because it is and, consequently, there are charges for conversion to sterling.

However, soon after the euro was introduced, my own bank, Barclays, suggested it might be a good idea for me to open a small-business euro account. I am in a wholesale trade similar to Mr Edwards.

With Barclays, there is no account minimum and charges are the same as on a normal business account so long as all the transactions in are in cash euros.

Cheques in euros drawn on a non-UK bank, though, would be treated the same as a foreign cheque and attract charges because there are no UK euro clearing facilities.

I recommend Mr Edwards visits the BBC Radio 4 Money Programme web site, which lists the various banks and what they offer in terms of euro accounts.

The banks appear to vary widely as to minimums and charges, as do their attitudes.

The Abbey National, which does offer an attractive facility, feels English people have other things to think about. Clearly no promotion there, then.

One supposes that means not bothering to attract tourists, nor doing business with Europe, nor going on holiday there.

While things may gradually change, and although one or two banks may be relatively switched on, virtually all the major banks and travel agents in Worthing were still quoting the old currencies last weekend.

Also, beware if you want to convert old currencies into euros. Currently, you will have to pay two lots of charges because the banks convert into sterling first, then into euros.

However, the only way things will progress is for people such as Mr Edwards to keep at it.

-T Nicholls, Northcourt Road, Worthing