LOCAL children are being encouraged take part in the Royal Mail’s stamp design competition, to honour the heroes of the pandemic.

The competition is open to children, aged from four to 14 years.

Eight designs will be chosen to become stamps which will be on sale across the UK.

Children may choose to illustrate frontline workers in health or social care. They may want to celebrate other key workers who have kept the country going, such as refuse collectors, cleaners, teachers, supermarket workers, public transport staff, delivery drivers or, indeed, postmen and postwomen.

Or they might highlight the volunteers who have helped in their local communities or raised money for charity, such as Captain Sir Tom Moore.

The competition is open until Friday, May 28.

A special panel of judges will select the winners.

As with all Special Stamps, the final eight designs will be sent to The Queen before they can be printed and issued as stamps.

The winners will be announced in the Autumn.

Full details can be found at: www.royalmail.com/stampcompetition .