IN this week’s competition, readers will have the chance to win two sets of Royal Mail’s latest series of stamps, both featuring the animal world.
Mammals is a block of 10 1st class stamps and is the fourth in the Action for Species series.
The British Isles is home to more than 60 species of mammals, but almost half of these have been introduced from elsewhere in the world, including some of the most abundant, like the rabbit and grey squirrel.
And because the UK has comparitively few land mammals, the selection for the criteria for the stamps was extended to include marine mammals, like the humpaback whale, that spend part of their life cycle in UK territorial waters.
All 10 featured mammals, including the seemingly prevalent hedgehog, are the subject of conservation programmes due to the effect of adverse changes in their environment.
They are caused by natural polution, the growth in roads and housing developments, and in some cases, the introduction of non-native species, which have all contributed to a fall in numbers.
The second series of stamps have been releases to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the world famous Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The cats and dogs featured on the 10 1st class stamps were once among the 12,000 animals the home takes in every year at its three centres in London, Kent and Berkshire.
Thankfully Boris, Tiger, Herby and the seven other cats and dogs featured were all successfully found new homes.
The charity began life as the Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs and was established by Mary Tealby, in Holloway, North London, in 1860. It moved to Battersea 11 years later and in 1883 it started to take in cats.
And 150 years since its formation, it remains true to its simple message: “We aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of our help”.
To be in with a chance of winning a double set of these beautiful stamps, just answer the following question: Where are Battersea’s three animal centres based?
Please include your name and address with your entries. Closing date is Wednesday, May 19 at noon. Usual rules apply and the editor's decision is final.
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