THE Commonwealth Games is being held in Birmingham this year and a set of stamps has been designed to honour the occasion.

The new stamp collection was designed by artist Charis Tsevis and it includes illustrations of athletes competing in a variety of sports as well as para sports including diving, para table tennis, gymnastics, para powerlifting plus more.

Royal Mail has revealed that it worked closely with Birmingham 2022 on the stamps and product range.

The postal service has marked many events with stamps for collectors and fans to keep as souvenirs, including the British Empire Games 1925, Cardiff 1958, Edinburgh 1970, Edinburgh 1986, Manchester 2002 and Glasgow 2014.

South Wales Argus: The diving stamp is part of the new collection (Royal Mail/PA)The diving stamp is part of the new collection (Royal Mail/PA)

Royal Mail releases Commonwealth Games stamps and they're available to pre-order today

David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail, said: “Royal Mail is delighted to be issuing these special stamps for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“The Commonwealth Games is one of the biggest multi-sport competitions in the world and it’s fantastic to have the event take place in the UK. These colourful special stamps will be our lasting reminder of the occasion.”

South Wales Argus: The special stamps collection which marks the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022 (Royal Mail/PA)The special stamps collection which marks the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022 (Royal Mail/PA)

Ian Reid, chief executive of Birmingham 2022, said: “These very special stamps will be a perfect reminder of the excitement and thrill people will have by being part of Birmingham 2022.

“The commemorative sets are a wonderful way to celebrate the Games and for the whole country to get involved in Birmingham 2022 and our festival of sport and culture”.

If you’d like to get your hands on the new special stamps collection, they’re available to pre-order from Thursday, July 14, 2022.

Special stamp collections are available to buy online via the Royal Mail website.