A LAKE District designer has played a part in the new £1 coin, which made its way into circulation on Tuesday.

Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark, of Bowness, won a competition to design the 'fifth portrait' of The Queen in 2015.

His design has been on the pound coin since then and will now feature on the new 12-sided pound coin.

The portrait shows a side profile of The Queen wearing a crown and drop earrings and is the fifth definitive portrait of The Queen to appear on the circulating coins since her accession to the throne in 1952.

The region has been gearing up for the new coins, with Booths supermarkets and district council among those adapting.

A spokesperson for the supermarket chain said: “Booths have made a number necessary practical arrangements to adjust our IT systems and coin operated trollies to accept the new coin.

"Additionally, Booths have liaised with all relevant parties to ensure pay and display car parks are prepped to receive the new coin. Booths anticipate a smooth transition to adopting the new pound coin."

All parking machines at South Lakeland and Craven district council's car parks now accept the new coin, as well as the old pound coin.