An MP has called on the Bank Of England to choose an ethnic minority person to be the face of the new £50 note.

Helen Grant, the MP for Maidstone and the Weald, is among a group of cross-party MPs who signed a letter to Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, urging that the choice must ensure "a wider diversity is represented".

The MP, who is also a Conservative Party vice-chairman, said that choosing a white scientist for its new banknote would send a damaging message that ethnic minorities were "invisible."

Mrs Grant, who is of mixed heritage herself with a white mother and a Nigerian father, said: “The bank has a duty to ensure wider diversity is represented on our currency."

She said: "Britain’s diverse communities have contributed so much to Britain’s history, culture and progress and it would be fitting to celebrate that immense contribution by having a person of colour on our currency for the very first time.

"Mary Seacole would be a fine example; the Jamaican British nurse who cared for and saved hundreds of British soldiers lives during the Crimean War.

"This is a great opportunity to celebrate Britain’s openness and to recognise the communities that have helped to build modern Britain."

To date, there have only been four women represented on British banknotes and no-one from an ethnic minority.

The current £50 note features Matthew Boulton and James Watt, leaders of British industrial revolution.

The Bank of England has previously announced it is looking for a scientist to put on the £50 notes.

A public consultation last year attracted 227,299 nominations from members of the public, resulting in 989 eligible candidates.

The Bank of England said it would announce its choice in the summer.

The new £50 note will be produced in a polymer material similar to the recently introduced £5 and £10 notes.