Cartoonist Raymond Briggs resurrects Father Christmas

After a 30-year hiatus, cartoonist Raymond Briggs has resurrected his Father Christmas character on a series of festive stamps for Royal Mail. Taking the weather as a theme, Briggs depicts the portly present-bearer battling snow, rain and sleet on his traditional Christmas Eve delivery round. Jane Ryan, head of design at Royal Mail Stamps, commissioned Briggs to design the stamps and to create additional material, including air letters and presentation packs. The stamps launch this week.