A Cockermouth stamp club's first exhibition proved a great success.

The town's stamp club was set up two and a half years ago and meets monthly. It chose to stage its its first exhibition on Saturday to celebrate National Stamp Day.

The exhibition featured a selection of stamps from members’ collections, including letters posted in Cockermouth in the 1700s and penny black stamps.

Mike Roberts, who set up the club with Mike Mapleton, said: "It went very well, there were more people than we expected.

"They appreciated the variety of our exhibits and were particularly interested in the very old envelopes and penny blacks.

"They also like seeing stamps which they remembered from their childhood."

There was a Stamps in the Attic team, made up of group members, on hand to value items brought in.

"Quite a number of people brought things in. We didn't come across anything which meant they could book a world cruise but there was an interesting selection," said Mike.

"It was mostly stamps that people had collected as children."

He is hopeful that some of the visitors will join the club which meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 11am in the Friends Meeting House, Kirkgate.

"There were a few people who had collected stamps when they were younger and are interested in starting again," said Mike.

It is hoped the stamp exhibition will become an annual event.

"This was our first exhibition. We wanted to support National Stamp Day which was launched last year to promote philately throughout Great Britain," said Mike.

He can be contacted at mike@mikerobe.co.uk or on 07885839622.