Ref. 73199-32FROSTY the Snowman drifted into Swindon to deliver Royal Mail's new Christmas stamps.

The seasonal stamps were created by Raymond Briggs, who wrote and drew the popular children's books and short films The Snowman and Father Christmas.

They are being issued today and show Santa taking to the rooftops.

Briggs has put Father Christmas and his reindeer on the Christmas Eve night shift in all weathers including rain, wind, sleet and snow.

It is more than 30 years since the Briggs's character was shown on stamps and six have been created along with illustrations for first day covers.

The First Class stamp shows Santa saluting a sunny dawn on Christmas Day when all his hard work is over.

Julietta Edgar, Royal Mail's head of philatelic sector, said: "Everyone loves to discuss the weather and so we were delighted when Raymond suggested it as the theme for the stamps.

"And even though Santa has his back to us as he salutes the sun on the First Class stamps I'm sure that he is smiling just this once."