Royal Mail unveils 'Thunderbirds' stamps

Royal Mail has today unveiled a range of stamps in honour of the 50th anniversary of Gerry Anderson's TV shows Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet.

The 'FAB: The Genius of Gerry Anderson' set features a number of iconic images from the series, including a snap of Thunderbird 2 in take-off. Also included is a specially-created comic strip and a miniature set of four 'motion stamps'.

The UK's first motion stamps show two different images when viewed from separate angles, displaying the opening sequence of Thunderbirds with each of the crafts launching.

Anderson said: "I feel incredibly proud that my work has been chosen to appear on a set of Royal Mail stamps and to see actual animation of the opening scenes of Thunderbirds appear on the motion stamps is really wonderful."

Philip Parker, Royal Mail Stamps spokesperson, added: "Gerry Anderson's ingenuity and inventiveness caused a sensation in the 1960s. We‘re delighted that 50 years on we are able to recognise and celebrate his work on our first stamp issue of 2011.

"It's particularly fitting that his characters will once again be visiting millions of homes across the UK as they arrive through the nation's letterboxes on letters and cards. And also that the dramatic 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 opening sequence is now a UK first through its appearance on our new motion stamps."