The island’s Tour de France hero Mark Cavendish is among a set of special stamps the Isle of Man Post Office has released ahead of next week’s Tokyo Olympics.

Cavendish will feature with five other Manx Olympians and six Team GB greats in the set of 12 stamps, which are available to buy now.

Alongside Cav, fellow Manxies Tim Kneale, Marie Morgan, Maurice Herriott, Peter Kennaugh MBE and Sidney Swann adorn a stamp joining Adam Peaty MBE, Sir Andy Murray MBE, Dame Kelly Holmes DBE, Sir Mo Farah CBE, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE DL and Rebecca Adlington OBE in the set.

Shooter Tim competed at the 2016 Games, while cyclist Marie rode in 1992 and 1996.

Athlete Herriott competed at the last Tokyo Games held in 1964, winning silver in the 3,000 metre steeple chase.

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Current Tour de France pundit Kennaugh won gold as part of the Great Britain team pursuit team at London 2012.

Rower Sidney Swann became the first Manxman to win Olympic gold in Stockholm 1912. Swann also won silver at the 1920 Antwerp Games.

The artwork for all 12 stamps has been made into stamps by Douglas designer Emma Cooke of EJC Design.

Maxine Cannon, general manager Isle of Man stamps and coins, said: ’We are very proud of all Team GB athletes and especially those from our island in such a prestigious event as the Olympics.

’We hope that by commemorating all of their amazing achievements, we can help inspire the next generation of athletes to represent our Island through Team GB.

’It is an honour to continue our longstanding association with the British Olympic Association.

’Our special thanks go out to Team GB, who have not only provided us with the imagery for this fantastic stamp issue, but also the excitement and memories.’

Team GB head of retail and licensing Paul Ellis said: ’It is a great privilege to work with the Isle of Man Post Office to celebrate 125 years of British Olympians going to the games.

’As more athletes join this unique set of individuals ahead of Tokyo 2020, we are delighted to showcase this illustrated collection and re-tell some of the classic stories from our history.’

All 12 stamps will be available as a set, sheet set, presentation pack, first day cover, booklet pane and a 28pg prestige booklet.

The latter features labels of 24 more of iconic Olympians: Philip Bowden-Smith, Queenie Newall, Lord Sebastian Coe, Daley Thompson, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Amir Khan, Nick Skelton, Eric Lidell, Nicola Adams, Malcolm Cooper, Sir Ben Ainslie, Jade Jones, Alison Williamson, Sir Chris Hoy, Mary Peters, Steven Paul, Charlotte Dujardin, Alistair Brownlee, Tom Daley, Noel Chavasse, Tessa Sanderson, Chris Boardman, Kulbir Bhaura and Kate Howey.

For more visit www.iompost.com/olympics125.

The 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony is taking place next Friday, July 23 at Olympic Stadium Tokyo.