Carols the theme of islands' Christmas stamps

The designs were all based on carols

Guernsey Post's 2010 Christmas stamps have been launched and for the first time Alderney has its own issue.

The stamps all feature scenes based on the titles of well-known Christmas carols.

Both islands have seven different stamps, which range in values from 31p to 80p.

Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, said they were "fun, modern and vibrant... and a different take on the Christmas carols we know and love".

It was the first time a set of Christmas stamps had been specially produced for Alderney

Included in the Guernsey designs is one based on Silent Night, which shows a moon shining over the skyline of St Peter Port.

The first Guernsey postage stamps designed and printed independently of the Royal Mail came out in 1969.

Guernsey Post currently produces about 12 issues of stamps every year.