Now we're pretty sure it's not April Fool's day, but this seems a little too fetched to be true - scientists have created a new space currency called, wait for it, the Quid.

That's right, Quasi Universal Intergalactic Denominations or Quids (see what they did there?) are designed to withstand the stresses of space travel. This means no sharp edges to damage space equipment or astronauts and no magnetic strips or chips, which in space would apparently "be damaged beyond repair by cosmic radiation".

The currency has been developed for foreign exchange company Travelex by the National Space Centre and the University of Leicester. Professor George Fraser from the university explained to the BBC yesterday, "none of the existing payment systems we use on earth - like cash, credit or debit cards could be used in space." Hence the need to develop this new, moulded-edged currency made from the material more commonly used for non-stick pans.

Clearly, with space tourism 'taking off' (sorry) and talk of moon hotels and regular space trips by 2050, the most pressing thing we need to do is develop a currency forty years early for tourists to buy moon rocks and other such tat. Chumps.