The new £5 notes contain animal fat, the Bank of England has confirmed.

Vegans and vegetarians have been left disgusted by the revelations about the note, that has been in circulation for three months.

It contains tallow, a substance made from animal fat that is often used in the manufacturing of candles and soap.

A petition has already been launched calling on the production of the plastic fivers to be stopped – and it has quickly gained 1,000 signatures.

The news came to light when the Bank of England responded to a tweet to confirm that tallow is used in the production of the note.

People have flocked to sign the petition, which reads:

The new £5 notes contain animal fat in the form of tallow. This is unacceptable to millions of vegans & vegetarians in the U.K. We demand that you cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use.

And it’s safe to say some vegans and vegetarians are outraged.

Other people, however, took a more light-hearted view.