The image of Britannia is to appear on a coin for the first time since 2008, with David Cameron hailing the return of an "enduring symbol of our national identity".

Britannia will feature on the new £2 coin having previously been the design on the 50p piece until being replaced in 2008.

Images of Britannia have appeared in one form or another on the reverse, or tails side, of British coins since the reign of Charles II in 1672.

Mr Cameron, who visited the Royal Mint in Pontyclun, South Wales, today, said: " It is great to see Britannia's welcome return to our currency.

"Making her first appearance on our coins in the 17th Century, Britannia is an enduring symbol of our national identity, ideal to help reinforce the strong sense of shared purpose and history for modern Britons."

The design by Antony Dufort shows the head and shoulders of Britannia, who is wielding a trident.

He said: "I am used to creating over life-sized models so working within the constraints of the 5mm thickness of the coin was a totally new experience.

"But I have collected coins and this helped in considering my design; for example, Britannia's helmet and trident fill one side of the coin, while the inscription balances this on the other.

"Britannia has taken so many forms and been presented with such a variety of symbolic elements, I looked to Greek and Roman coins and statues to ensure authenticity while modelling her trident and Corinthian helmet. However, I feel I have balanced these classic elements with clean, elegant lines for a contemporary-feeling composition.

"My coin design fills me with a similar sense of pride as these coins will be used and hopefully enjoyed by the public."