THE Isle of Man Post Office has launched a new Christmas Story miniature sheet featuring characters from a BBC TV series which is produced by a company in the Isle of Man.

Friends and Heroes is an animated series of bible stories from the Old and New Testaments. The show is produced by AFD Software in Ramsey and is broadcast on CBBC and BBC 2.

Alison and David Dorricott, executive producers of Friends and Heroes, said: "Never in our wildest dreams did we expect to be involved in creating stamps for Friends and Heroes.

"We are delighted that the Isle of Man Post Office should choose our images for this modern re-telling of the Christmas story which will strongly remind you of this life-changing event."

Dot Tilbury, general manager of the Philatelic Bureau, said: "We are delighted with the Friends and Heroes miniature sheet of stamps as it delivers the Christmas message in a modern fun way whilst conveying the huge significance of the story."

Friends and Heroes is now being dubbed into Manx Gaelic by a group of Manx speakers and will be the first mainstream TV animation ever produced in the Manx Language. 

The Miniature Sheet costs £3.00, the Presentation Pack is £3.75 and the First Day Cover is £3.70.