The Governor of the Bank of England has been in Kent to reveal that artist J M W Turner is going to be the face of the new £20 note.

Mark Carney announced that the artist, with strong connections to the town, will appear on the note, due to be issued by 2020.

The selection of Turner is the first time the Bank of England has used the more open selection process announced in December 2013.

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The process began early last year, with members of the public invited to suggest a public figure from the visual arts.

The Bank had 29,701 nominations covering 590 eligible characters.

Commenting on the decision, the Governor said: "I am delighted to announce that J.M.W. Turner has been chosen to appear on the next £20 note.

"Turner is perhaps the single most influential British artist of all time. His work was transformative, bridging the classical and modern worlds. His influence spanned his lifetime and is still apparent today."

"Turner bequeathed this painting to the nation, an example of his important contribution to British society.

Speaking at the announcement, renowned artist Tracey Emin, who comes from Margate, said: "It’s so amazing that an artist has been chosen for the £20 note and an artist who was a wild maverick.

"It's wonderful that Britain's creative side is being honoured in this way and of course I am especially happy because it is Turner and he loved Margate."

The new £20 note will enter circulation by 2020 and, as with the next £5 and £10 notes, will be printed on polymer.

The Turner Contemporary gallery, where the announcement was made, is on the same site where Turner stayed when visiting the town.