A TRAFFORD post office’s link to a music legend has created a stir in the stamp-collecting world.

Oldfield Post Office has been contacted by philatelists from far and wide in the run-up to the launch of a set of 10 stamps of classic album covers – including pop star Mike Oldfield’s acclaimed Tubular Bells.

Stamp enthusiasts from different parts of the country have asked Oldfield Post Office to stamp the classic album covers envelope on the day it is released – today.

Postmaster Denise Bookbinder has promised to provide the coveted date stamp to the first day covers and send them to collectors.

One collector even plans to travel from Yorkshire to Oldfield Post Office, on Seamons Road, to receive the date stamp in person – weather permitting.

Denise said she had been staggered by the response: “I’ve had calls from places such as Birmingham and Cornwall and agreed to send the envelopes out to them. Maybe other collectors will turn up on the day.

“I have never had requests like this before – it has certainly put us on the map.”

One of the collectors who contacted her, Samuel Downes, from Birmingham, said the name connection meant a great deal to collectors.

“I would like to thank the postmaster and staff for their cooperation.”

The critically acclaimed Tubular Bells was released in 1973 by Virgin Records, the then fledgling record company of Richard Branson.

l MANCHESTER and District Philatelic Traders’ Association is holding a stamp fair at Sale Grammar School, Marsland Road, Sale on January 9, 10am to 4pm. Normal admission is 50p (children 25p) but readers will be admitted free if they mention the Messenger.