New stamps celebrate The Wombles and their creator

The stamps feature the sculptures which make up The Wombles Trail around Alderney

A new set of stamps is celebrating the popular characters from children's literature, The Wombles.

The stamps feature six of the wooden sculptures depicting the fictional creatures created by Elisabeth Beresford who lived in Alderney for more than 30 years.

Head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, Bridget Yabsley, said the "delightful" stamps captured "the nostalgia of The Wombles that are much loved by many generations".

Although the stamps are available to pre-order, Guernsey Post said the designs were at Buckingham Palace awaiting royal approval.

The stamps feature the 4ft (1.2m) English oak sculptures of The Womble characters by artist Mike Burgess which are part of The Wombles Trail around the island.

Each stamp captures a Womble in situ around Alderney.

A statue of Madame Cholet is at Alderney Harbour, Great Uncle Bulgaria is at the airport, Tobermory is at Mannez Train Station, Orinoco is sat on a children's 'whisper seat' at the Butes Playground, Wellington stands on the hospital roundabout and Alderney is in the Le Clonque Car Park.

Beresford, many of whose books were set on Alderney, was appointed an MBE in 1998 for her services to children's literature.

Elisabeth Beresford was appointed an MBE for her services to children's literature