Stamps set to take off with Thunderbirds

Published on Tuesday 28 December 2010 09:20

THUNDERBIRDS are go for the Royal Mail in 2011, with plans to launch new stamps honouring their creator Gerry Anderson.

The stamps, due out next month, will celebrate Anderson and his work, including not only Thunderbirds but also other marionette puppetry series such as Supercar, Stingray and Joe 90.

Royal Mail also has plans for several other new series of stamps in the first part of 2011.

Musicals will feature on eight new stamps in February. In March there will be stamps reflecting the tales of King Arthur and his court magician Merlin.

The 50th anniversary of environmental group WWF will be marked with portraits of ten animals on stamps, including the African elephant and the Siberian tiger, in March.

Stamps in April will depict Shakespeare plays, showing theatres where the Royal Shakespeare Company has performed in Stratford-upon-Avon through the years.

Philip Parker, Royal Mail stamps spokesman, said: "This is by far the most exciting start to a year for Royal Mail stamps. There's something for everyone in the first half of 2011."