Cathedral photos stamp set issued

The Royal Mail has faced criticism about the lack of Christian imagery on stamps

The Royal Mail has released a set of 10 new stamps featuring some of the best-known cathedrals in the UK.

The designs feature black-and-white interior photographs of Lichfield, Belfast, Gloucester, Westminster, St David's and St Magnus Cathedrals.

A four-stamp sheet also marks the 300th anniversary of the completion of St Paul's in London.

The Royal Mail's Julietta Edgar said: "The level of detail achieved on the stamps is quite astonishing."

She added: "The interiors of these cathedrals have been captured on the stamps in breathtaking detail, which perfectly conveys the grandeur of these beautiful buildings."

'Finest examples'

The Royal Mail had faced criticism in 2006 about the lack of a Christian theme on its Christmas stamps. It returned to Christian designs the following festive season.

The St Paul's sheet includes Sir Christopher Wren's epitaph

A Church of England spokesman said: "Royal Mail seek designs that depict life in the UK, and we are pleased that cathedrals are recognised as part of that."

Christopher Tuckwell, administrator of Westminster Cathedral, said it was an honour for the building to be featured.

He added: "I hope that this stamp makes more people aware of the splendour of one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture and Byzantine art in the world."

The St Paul's set combines an image of architect Sir Christopher Wren, the epitaph on his tomb and a photo of the cathedral's interior.

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