British central bank, the Bank of England (BOE), announced Tuesday that it is soliciting public opinions on issuing plastic banknotes in a bid to ensure good quality genuine banknotes that the public can use with confidence.

According to BOE, based on a three-year research project looking at the materials on which banknotes are printed, the bank had reviewed the relative merits of printing banknotes on polymer rather than the cotton paper as at present.

The new material banknotes, which have the advantages of resistance to dirt and moisture, advanced security and more durability, will initially only be for the new-style five pounds and 10 pounds banknotes, with one denomination at a time.

The five pounds note will be featured with Sir Winston Churchill, expecting to be issued in 2016 at the earliest, with the 10 pounds note to follow.

If the decision is made to move to the polymer banknotes, the central bank said it would also introduce smaller banknotes for convenience to fitting into purses and wallets.

"Polymer banknotes are cleaner, more secure and more durable than paper notes. They are also cheaper and more environmentally friendly," said Charles Bean, BOE's Deputy Governor of the Bank of England.

"However, the Bank of England would print notes on polymer only if we were persuaded that the public would continue to have confidence in, and be comfortable with, our notes.

"The results of the consultation program on which we are embarking will therefore form a vital part of our assessment of the merits of polymer banknotes."

The public consultation program on polymer banknotes will run until 15 November, and BOE will announce the decision on whether to move to polymer in December.

Polymer banknotes are manufactured from a transparent plastic film, specially coated with an ink layer that enables it to carry the printed design features of banknotes. The material allows the inclusion of "windows" or clear portions in the design, which enhance protection against counterfeits.