Pub owner Tony Fagan became the first man in the country to accept the new European currency then found he couldn't spend it until 2002.

Last Thursday, eleven Irish businessmen visited his O'Raffertys pub in High Road, Wood Green, and promptly asked Mr Fagan if they could use the new `Euro'.

He decided to accept it because he does not take credit cards. The Euro becomes legal tender in January 1999, but only for banks to trade in.

He later tried to bank the new currency but was told to try again in three years.

Mr Fagan charged the customers three Euros for a pint of Guinness and accepted a total of 330 -- or £200 worth.

But he is not worried about waiting for the Euro to become legal. "I'm a businessman, I'll take the money. If I have to stick it in my

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