AN Ashburton charity dedicated to protecting one of Britain's most recognisable birds is celebrating after the barn owl was chosen to feature on the next generation of Bank of England banknotes.

The Barn Owl Trust, based near Ashburton, has welcomed the announcement, describing it as a wonderful recognition of a much-loved species and an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation.

The barn owl was selected following a public consultation launched by the Bank of England on June 3, inviting people across the UK to vote for the animals they would most like to see represented on future banknotes.

The month-long consultation, which closed on July 3, received an impressive 478,531 responses, with members of the public choosing from a shortlist of 18 species across three categories: mammals; birds; and amphibians, insects and fish.

The barn owl emerged as the clear favourite in the bird category, receiving 270,596 votes.

It will feature alongside the bee, puffin and hedgehog on the next generation of notes, which will eventually appear in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50.

However, it has not yet been decided which species will feature on each note, with the design process expected to take several years.

Natalie Mostert, pictured, head of conservation at the Barn Owl Trust, said the result was an exciting moment for the species.

‘We are absolutely delighted that the Barn Owl has been chosen by the public to feature on the next generation of Bank of England banknotes’, she said.

‘This is a wonderful recognition of a bird that has captured the imagination of people across the UK for generations.

‘We hope that seeing the Barn Owl on our banknotes will not only celebrate this beautiful species, but also inspire even greater interest in its conservation and the habitats it depends upon’.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank of England's chief cashier, also welcomed the public response to the consultation.

‘I am delighted that nearly half-a-million people responded to our wildlife imagery consultation, showing that cash still matters’, she said.

For the Barn Owl Trust, the decision offers an opportunity to bring the bird's conservation needs to a much wider audience.

Although instantly recognisable and widely admired, barn owls face a range of pressures in the modern landscape.

Protecting the countryside and the habitats on which they rely remains essential to their future.

The charity hopes the bird's appearance on Britain's currency will encourage people to learn more about the species and the importance of preserving suitable habitats for wildlife.

Based near Ashburton, the Barn Owl Trust works to support the conservation of barn owls and their environment.

The charity is encouraging members of the public to get involved in its work and support efforts to protect the species.

More information about the charity's conservation work and how to help is available through the Barn Owl Trust's website.

The trust said it looked forward to following the development of the new banknotes and eventually seeing the barn owl take its place on the nation's currency as a symbol of Britain's wildlife.