The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced the shortlist of historical figures who could appear on the new £10 note.

Images of physicist James Clerk Maxwell, science writer Mary Somerville and engineer Thomas Telford were nominated to be on the polymer notes set to be issued in the second half of 2017.

The final decision will be made following a public vote running from Monday until Sunday February 7 on the bank's Facebook page.

More than 400 people got in touch to nominate a Scottish figure who they felt had made a significant contribution in the field of science and innovation.

Maxwell was a 19th century pioneer of electromagnetism, whose discovery of the unified theory of electricity and magnetism directly led to the application of electromagnetic radiation.

Somerville lived from 1780 until 1872 at a time when women's participation in science was strongly discouraged. She was jointly nominated to be the first female member of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1835.

Civil engineer Telford, known as the Colossus of Roads, lived from 1757 until 1843, and built more than 1,000 miles of roads in his lifetime.

He designed numerous infrastructure projects such as the Caledonian Canal and the Telford churches, as well as harbours and tunnels.

RBS has been issuing banknotes since 1727 and has an average of £1.5bn worth of notes in circulation on a single day. This is the first set of notes to feature different portraits on different denominations.

The new £5 note will be issued in the second half of 2016, with the £10 note following roughly a year later. This is in line with timeframes previously announced by the Bank of England, Clydesdale Bank and Bank of Scotland.

The notes will be completely redesigned, including new subjects for the portraits. The design for the £5 note is due to be unveiled in 2016 and will feature an historical figure who made a significant literary contribution.

Individuals to have featured on previous RBS banknotes include King George II, King George III, King George IV, King George I, David Dale and Archibald, Earl of Ilay.

Commemorative notes have included Robert Louis Stevenson, Alexander Graham Bell, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and golfer Jack Nicklaus.

RBS chief marketing officer David Wheldon said: "I am delighted that we have been able to engage the public in this process. We received many high quality nominations.

"The strength of our shortlist is indicative of the significant contribution that Scotland has made to the field of science and innovation. I would be very proud for any of these nominees to appear on our new £10 note.

"Anyone who wants to have their say should visit our Facebook page and cast a vote. I look forward to finding out which of these great figures is chosen."