THE Girl Guides of Tavistock are celebrating 21 years of their Christmas postal service this year.

Since starting in 1988, more than 100,000 cards have been delivered to residents of the town. The scheme has always been well supported by the community and the Guides are hoping this will continue this Christmas.

Special blue Guide stamps will be on sale from Monday, November 24 from any member of Girlguiding Tavistock or from Lake Pharmacy in West Street, Cards for Good Causes in the United Reformed Church, Revolution in Russell Street, Superdrug, Pillars Newsagents, Tavistock Launderette and Stannary Surgery at Abbey Rise.

These locations, together with all Brownie and Guide meeting halls and Spar in Ford Street, will have blue posting boxes for customers to post their cards before 5pm on Friday, December 19.

The Guides stress they can only deliver to addresses within Tavistock town and Whitchurch, areas to which the girls can easily walk. But Bere Alston Brownies run their own local service, information for this being obtainable from Yvonne Hicks on 01822 840003.

All cards are sorted by the Guides and their leaders, with bundles being delivered over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21.

More than 7,000 cards are delivered each year and the cost is 15p per card. For more information contact Kate Harding on 01822 613661.