A SPECIAL Severn Valley Railway stamp is to feature on a postbox in Kidderminster to mark the 50th anniversary of the Royal Mail Special Stamps.

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier unveiled the stamp plaque on a postbox outside the old Post Office, in Comberton Hill, as part of the celebrations of Royal Mail’s much-loved modern Special Stamps programme.

The Severn Valley Railway featured on a Special Stamp in 2004 as part of the Classic Locomotives issue celebrating restored railways.

Mr Garnier said: “I am delighted that Royal Mail has chosen this unique way to celebrate a special local landmark through a stamp on a local postbox giving the community an opportunity to share in the tribute.”

Karen English, Royal Mail delivery director, added: “The UK’s towns and cities have influenced stamp designs over the past 50 years.

“We are proud that one of our postboxes in Kidderminster features the stamp of the Severn Valley Railway.

“We hope that all our customers and visitors to the area enjoy this special stamp plaque and might even take their own photographs as a memento.”

A total of 50 special stamp plaques are being installed on postboxes across the UK. Each plaque features one of the most popular stamps that has a special connection with the UK city, town or village, in which it is located.

Other stamps on postboxes include Winston Churchill, Bagpuss, Dylan Thomas and Sherlock Holmes.

The Royal Mail modern stamp programme has featured a total of 2,663 Special Stamps since July 1965 and every new stamp design is approved by the Queen before it is issued.