Parliament adopted the metric system in most things years ago. There is a stubborn resistance by many ordinary people to using it where they have the option. So both systems tend to be use, sometimes at the same time - you'll find wood or cloth measured in inches across and centimeters longwise.

Basic life rule is when measuring up in advance with a view to buying something, do it metric and non-metric, because otherwise it'll be when you find what you might want it will be measured up in the system you haven't used.

I find metric measurements severely inconvenient. My body knows what an inch and a foot and yards are - I've got thumbs and two feet and can take paces. I don't have a handy meesure for metrics. But we're stuck with them.

I hope the Americans hold out. You metricised your money before anyone else did - and then it at that.