MEMBERS of Girlguiding Tavistock will again be organising a Christmas postal sevirce this year, with stamps on sale from Monday (November 12).

Over the last few years, Brownies and Guides have annually delivered around 7,000 cards within the town and they are keen to see if, with more public support, they can increase this in 2012.

In view of current financial limits on the family purse, the cost of a Guide stamp will remain at 20p, which the guides hope customers will appreciate and will provide a great saving compared with other delivery services.

The Guide scheme works by customers purchasing blue Christmas Post stamps from either Guides or various retail outlets in the town. Cards can then be deposited in blue post boxes before the closing date, after which they are sorted by members of Girlguiding Tavistock then delivered around the town in time for Christmas.

The special stamps are already available from members of Girlguiding and, from next week, they will also be available from Cards for Good Causes at Kingdon House, Pillars Newsagents, Tavistock Launderette, Mainly Stationery, Lake Pharmacy, Superdrug, Tavyside Health Centre, Spar Stores in Ford Street.

The special blue post boxes will also be located at these outlets, as well as in Tavistock Methodist Church and the Guide headquarters at the entrance to Bedford Car Park.

Last posting will be at 5pm on Friday, December 14, after which the cards will bundled up ready for delivery over the weekend of December 15-16.

The delivery area only includes roads within the town of Tavistock and the village of Whitchurch.

The Guides regret that they are unable to deliver to outlying areas of surrounding villages. To avoid disappointment, customers are asked to ensure envelopes are correctly and clearly addressed.

The Brownies in Bere Alston also operate a separate delivery service, but within their village only.?Anyone interested should contact Mrs Hicks on 01822 840003.

If anyone has any questions about the Tavistock Guide Christmas Post, or about Guiding in general, contact either Kate Harding on 01822 613661 or Lorraine Orton on 01822 615552.