Fears rise over euro changeover

Most Europeans fear they will be cheated when the euro arrives in tills at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Almost two-thirds of people believe they could be cheated by shopkeepers, a figure that has increased from 53% for the same time last year.

About half of people across the euro-zone fear they will have trouble figuring out the switch to the new currency.

The European Commission in Brussels says preparations for the introduction of notes and coins are gathering pace.