'Popular' stamp auction returns for Mother's Day - 08/03/2010

Royal Mail is to once again run its Smilers stamp auction to raise money for charity around Mother's Day.

The online auction, conducted through eBay, will see a number of celebrity photos turned into stamps and sold to the highest bidder.

The proceeds will be donated to Women's Aid, a charity set up to end domestic violence against women and children.

Those involved include Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Pearl Lowe, who have offered pictures of themselves with their mother and daughters respectively.

Julietta Edgar, Royal Mail head of special stamps, said that the contribution made by the well-known ladies would help maintain the auction's reputation.

She said: "This auction has proved to be so popular in recent years, and we are delighted that Sophie and Pearl have come on board for 2010. We are keen to raise as much money as possible for this worthwhile cause."

Past auctions have seen people pay up to £2,000 for a sheet of stamps.