大象传媒

With interest rates at a record low, and the financial markets still volatile after Brexit, it can be difficult to know what to do with your hard earned savings.听

But many of us are hoping to get a glittering return on our money by investing in gold.听

The Royal Mint has seen a marked increase in the number of people buying its gold bullion coins and bars following the EU referendum.听

Many of them are first time investors, who have the option of paying as little as 拢20 for a portion of a 拢400,000 bar of gold.听

Although the value of the precious metal has risen more than 25% in the last 12 months, Chartered Wealth Manager Stuart Bourne advises caution. 鈥淵ou should only hold a small proportion of your money in one asset class, as in gold.听 Maybe between 2%-10%.听 For most investors it鈥檚 just too high risk.鈥�

Valuable

A few weeks ago the Bank of England released the new five pound note; some people have been selling theirs for hundreds of pounds on eBay! Look out for serial numbers beginning AA01 as they are said to be most valuable.

Keep away from heat!

There are some reports that the new 拢5 note has shrunk in incidents involving tumble dryers.

If you have any bank note that鈥檚 been damaged, mutilated or contaminated you may be able to get it replaced by sending it to the .

All applicants must complete a and send it 鈥� along with all banknote remains - by post to the address listed below.

The Bank of England says that forms and banknote remains are sent at the applicant鈥檚 own risk; it is recommended that higher value claims are sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery.

If your application is successful you will be reimbursed by electronic payment direct to your bank account.

If you don鈥檛 have a bank account, there is a section on the application form where you can nominate an alternative account holder.

The address to send your damaged notes to is:

The Manager, Dept MN,
Bank of England,
King Street,
Leeds
LS1 1HT
Tel no. 0113 241 0075听

Doctors at Morriston hospital in Swansea have noticed a worrying rise in the number of patients suffering from burns caused by e-cigarettes exploding in their pockets or while being charged.

E-cigarette users are not only suffering the effects of burns but in some cases the explosions have caused devastating house fires too.

Trading Standards have been looking into the products and found that cheap and unregulated plugs, chargers and e-cigarette batteries are at fault where they do not have a standard safety device that cuts off excess power going to the e-cigarette battery, which is causing the explosions.

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