Gruffalo creator gets Christmas stamp of approval

The Royal Mail stamps for Christmas have now gone on sale and feature festive scenes created by the illustrator behind the best-selling book, The Gruffalo.

The five new stamps feature traditional Christmas scenes and characters including Father Christmas, festive robins, Christmas trees and a reindeer.

Illustrator Axel Scheffler said: "It’s been an interesting and enjoyable experience working with Royal Mail on developing the Christmas stamps.

"I hope they’ll add a little extra colour and fun to the festive season."

As well as working with Scheffler on the Christmas stamps, Royal Mail’s design team also collaborated with children’s author and poet, Tony Mitton.

Mitton, whose works include the Amazing Animals series and Crazy Camelot Capers, penned a narrative poem for the presentation pack entitled, Starry Story, a Christmas tale involving all the characters that appear on the stamps.

Mr Gerry McAuley, Royal Mail Delivery Director North & West Scotland, said: "We all look forward to our Christmas stamp issue. This year we were delighted with the work produced by Axel.

"His charming style set the perfect tone for the stamps."

Scheffler has created a series of traditional Christmas scenes, including Father Christmas with a festive robin perching on his hand (1st Class), a reindeer with decorated antlers (2nd Class), a cat and mouse decorate a Christmas Tree together (87p), a Robin atop a sprig of holly, bearing a star decoration in his beak (£1.28) and a snowman meeting a penguin (£1.90).

To provide choice for customers, the popular 1st and 2nd Class Madonna and Child stamps, first issued in 2007 will also be available in all Post Office branches from tomorrow too and online at www.royalmail.com/christmas and by phone on 08457 641 641.

Royal Mail is also encouraging customers to post their festive greetings early and use the postcode.

The recommended last posting dates for mail to arrive in time for Christmas are:

Last posting dates for delivery within the UK:

• 1st Class Thursday 20th December

• 2nd Class Tuesday 18th December

• Special Delivery Saturday 22nd December

Last posting dates for international mail:

• Airmail to Asia, Far East (including Japan), Australia, New Zealand, Wednesday 5th December

• Airmail to South and Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Friday 7th December

• Airmail to USA, Canada and Eastern Europe: Monday 10th December

• Airmail to Western Europe: Wednesday 12th December