BEANS could soon take over from coins in Stroud under new plans from the town's Transition group.

The Lifestyles and Livelihoods working group of Transition Stroud is running a series of events this autumn to get people thinking about the benefits of a local currency.

The group held a Buy or Barter brunch in September where people were encouraged to trade using beans as currency.

Molly Scott Cato, one of the organisers, said the event was a great success and showed people that trading goods was more important then ending up with a pot of money, which in this case was beans.

Due to its success, a barter market will be held on December 7, where people can trade home-made gifts for Christmas presents – using an alternative currency that will only work for that day and which will be created specially. This event will also be held at Mills Café.