The Royal Mint has unveiled a new 50p coin which marks the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

Five million of the coins - depicting the fate of King Harold who was reputedly slain by an arrow through the eye - will make their way into the nation's pockets over the next few weeks to commemorate the historic event.

On October 14 1066, Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, was killed on the East Sussex battlefield as he fought the invading Normans, and William the Conqueror seized the English throne.

It changed the course of British history and the bloodshed was later immortalised in the Bayeux Tapestry.

Andrew Mills, director of circulating coin at The Royal Mint, said: "1066 is arguably one of the most famous dates in English history.

"As we head towards the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings on 14 October, it is apt that The Royal Mint should now be releasing these special 50p coins into circulation to commemorate this significant historical event.

"It is entirely possible that coins struck by The Royal Mint will have made their way onto the battlefield itself, in the purses of King Harold's soldiers - incredible for the team here to think about, since we are still making the monarch's coinage today, all those centuries later."

The Royal Mint has been the maker of coins for more than 1,000 years for British monarchs including King Harold and William the Conqueror.

Designer John Bergdahl, who also engraved coins to mark Prince George and Princess Charlotte's christenings, said: "The Bayeux Tapestry formed the inspiration for my design, as it is the only real visual record of the battle.

"The figure I have used in the composition is based on images thought to be King Harold, with the famous arrow to the eye."

A series of events are being staged to mark the Norman conquest including a makeshift battle and a 300-mile march by a group of warriors, echoing Harold's journey south from York to fight the Normans.