Giant images of an ice cream and a couple of donkeys captured the essence of a day at the seaside in West Wales for the launch of Royal Mail's latest set of commemorative stamps. Fishguard postman Paul Merritt and subpostmistress Jackie Griffiths, from Newport Post Office, Pembs., got into holiday mood to help promote Beside the Seaside stamps, out on Tuesday, in Presentation Pack, First Day Cover format and on general sale at all post offices. The striking and colourful stamps also include merry-go-rounds and sandcastles. The traditional images of the great British seaside came about as the development of railways brought the British coastline within easy reach of towns and cities, and seaside holidays became a reality. More than 150 years later, despite decades of air travel and the lure of year round sunshine, the UK's coastal towns have stood the test of time and now around 25 million of the UK public enjoy a home- grown holiday. Val Bodden, media relations manager for Royal Mail Group in Wales, said: "Every time I look at the Beside the Seaside stamps they make me smile, as all the wonderful memories of past holidays come flooding back. "These vibrant images encapsulate perfectly the fun of a holiday by the seaside, and I'm sure they will have the same effect on millions of people when they see them on letters and parcels." Subpostmistress Jackie Griffiths also used the launch to highlight her participation in another growing British tradition - running in charity events. Jackie is taking part in the Scolton Manor Race for Life event on June 9 and anyone wanting to sponsor her should pop into Newport Post Office, Pembs., to pledge money for this worthwhile cancer charity.