The Post Office is releasing a set of six stamps featuring both ’popular and unusual’ species of birds, created by local designer Emma Cooke.

The birds selected are new to the Post Office’s stamp collection and include both common and exotic varieties, as well as hybrids ’to illustrate an important aspect of bird fancying, that of creating cross breeds, both for their appearance and song.’

Emma Cooke, of EJC Design, has used shots by London-based photographer Luke Stephenson, who has spent a number of years photographing the varied species of birds featured upon the stamps.

The Post Office described the stamps as having a ’distinctive style’ which ’poses the exhibited bird affront a vibrant and decorative background’.

The following species are featured upon the stamps: the Fife canary, gouldian finch, budgerigar, redpoll hybrid, paradise tanager and the diamond sparrow.

Mr Stephenson’s work has been seen in publications like the New York Times Magazine and The Guardian, and he has also published a book ’An Incomplete Dictionary of Show Birds’.

He said: ’It’s a great honour to have my work displayed on stamps and be among many great artists that have done so in the past.

’It seems very fitting that my images of birds will now literally be flying around the world.’

Maxine Cannon, the general manager at Isle of Man Stamps and Coins, said: ’It has been a pleasure working with Luke Stephenson on this stamp collection.

’The stamps give a glimpse into the world of show birds and his stunning photographs meticulously capture the beauty of these charming creatures.

’We’d also like to thank Roy Howarth, Andy Sykes and Tina Jauncey for their expert assistance in the creation of this unique stamp issue.’

The Show Birds collection is to be issued on February 9 and will be available as a set and sheet set, presentation pack and first day cover.

For further information visit: www.iompost.com/showbirds.