Stamps mark Olympic Flag handover

A special set of four stamps is being jointly issued by the Royal Mail and China Post to mark the handover of the Olympic Flag from Beijing to London.

The 1st class stamps feature landmarks from the two cities, including Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium where the track and field events have been held.

Royal Mail said they would both "celebrate a wonderful Games" and "whet our appetite for what is to come".

The Olympic Flag will be handed over at the closing ceremony on 24 August.

Royal palaces

All four stamps carry the five Olympic rings, and the set as a whole depicts the old and new in both cities.