The life and achievements of Mitch Murray CBE are being celebrated by the Post Office in a set of 10 colourful stamps.

The songwriter, producer, singer and author has lived on the Isle of Man since 1978.

His hits topped the charts and were performed by bands like Gerry and the Pacemakers (’How Do You Do It?’), Georgie Fame (’Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde’), Paper Lace (’Billy Don’t Be A Hero’) and Tony Christie (’Avenues and Alleyways’, ’Las Vegas’ and ’I Did What I Did For Maria’).

With Freddie and The Dreamers he had his first American number one hit ’I’m Telling You Now’.

In 1971 he founded SODS, the Society Of Distinguished Songwriters, whose members include Don Black, Mike Batt, Gary Barlow, Sir Tim Rice, Tony Hatch, Justin Hayward, Barry Mason, and 40 more British songwriters whose music continues to thrill the world with the greatest songs and musicals.

Since his rendition of Down Came The Rain, Mitch has built up a reputation for comedy in many areas, including broadcasting, after-dinner speaking and a series of books on the subject of humorous speechwriting.

Mr Murray said: ’This fabulous collection represents my career in all its aspects, and covers a period of 60 years. It’s an honour I could never have imagined receiving.’

Maxine Cannon, general manager of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins, said: ’It is a real privilege for us to work with Mitch Murray and to be able to commemorate his career so far with this dynamic and vibrant stamp collection. His many achievements are an impressive collection of success and we are proud to feature them on this very special stamp collection together with a world first: a new musical composition released via a stamp issue!’