AN East Anglian firm has kept the flag flying with a series of stamps celebrating England.The patriotic images, from Colchester-based design consultants Silk Pearce, were launched this week by Royal Mail to mark St George's Day on Monday and are being sold at post offices and other outlets across the country.

AN East Anglian firm has kept the flag flying with a series of stamps celebrating England.

The patriotic images, from Colchester-based design consultants Silk Pearce, were launched this week by Royal Mail to mark St George's Day on Monday and are being sold at post offices and other outlets across the country.

The selection includes a first-class stamp with newly-commissioned illustration by Peter Crowther of the Cross of St George, one of England's earliest emblems dating back to 1277.

Two long-format 78p stamps show St George slaying the dragon by Claire Melinsky and a photograph of the Houses of Parliament by Ed Pritchard.

The background for the special miniature sheet of stamps is a photograph of the sun rising in the mist across Blackmore Vale in Dorset.

Celebrating England is the second set in 'The Four Countries of the United Kingdom' series designed by Silk Pearce and being rolled out over four years to commemorate the national identities of Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Peter Silk, joint creative director at Silk Pearce, said three of the four stamps were based on newly-commissioned work, providing a fresh perspective on recognised symbols and imagery from the country's rich heritage.

“St George's Day is celebrated annually by English people all over the world but clearly this year's event is particularly special for us. We are always flattered when Royal Mail invites us to design commemorative stamps and it's a great feeling knowing that our design work will be showcased throughout the UK, as well as being admired and treasured by letter-writers and stamp collectors across the world,” he said.