Visitors to this year’s Tynwald Day are being invited to send free Manx Gaelic postcards around the world.

The scheme has been created by Culture Vannin and the Post Office and is part of the Unesco’s Year of Indigenous Languages and 120 years of the Manx Language Society which is being celebrated during the Manx National Week.

Culture Vannin and Manx artist Mary Cousins have issued a set of six joyful stamps telling the story in pictures of a day in the life of two Manx mice which can be sent anywhere in the world with postage complimentary of the Post Office.

The postage paid postcards will be available from Culture Vannin and the Celtic Gathering stand along with some stickers and Manx translation booklets.

The artist, Mary Cousins, said: ’It has been a real pleasure to work with Culture Vannin and the Isle of Man Post Office on this issue and a privilege and to see my characters on stamps.

’It’s exciting to think of them travelling around the world through the mail.’