July 20 will mark the 50th anniversary of the time that a man first stepped on the moon.

And the Isle of Man Post Office is celebrating early.

It this week issued eight stamps to commemorate the occasion.

They cover the Apollo missions with Nasa photographs of the moon itself.

George Abbey, who worked with Nasa during the Apollo missions and was director of the Johnson Space Centre during the NASA Shuttle - Mir Program, said: ’The stamps are truly outstanding and I am sure they will be well received.’

Former Nasa astronaut Nicole Stott, wife of Manxman Chris Stott who spent more than 100 days in space during her two missions, said: ’Fifty years ago this July two people stepped out onto the moon, humanity’s first footsteps on another planetary body watched by the then-largest television audience in history.

’Humanity came together crossing all boundaries for a few fleeting moments.

’The actions of these two men were supported by thousands more men and women on the ground.

’Many missions came before and came after Apollo 11. Now 50 years on we are only just now beginning to take those very same steps again, but this time we stay for good and like before for the good of all.’

Maxine Cannon, Isle of Man Stamps and Coins general manager. said: ’The moon landing and the Apollo program were milestones in the history of space travel and therefore deserve to be commemorated. We are very proud to honour the anniversary of the moon landing with these impressive pictures captured on our stamps and are grateful to NASA and George Abbey in particular, for their support and assistance in bringing this collection to life.’