May the stamps be with you: Royal Mail issue special Star Wars collection

A collection of Star Wars stamps has been issued to celebrate the upcoming release of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

The eighteen first-class stamps, illustrated by British artist Malcolm Tween, feature nine iconic characters from the Star Wars saga films and three from the upcoming release.

They include Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Emperor Palpatine, Boba Fett and a stormtrooper.

New characters from the latest instalment including Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) have also received their own stamp.

The stamps are available on the Royal Mail website and from 8,000 Post Office branches across the UK.

Earlier this week, demand for advance tickets to see the new film caused some cinema websites to crash.

  • [**Watch the new Star Wars trailer**](http://New Star Wars trailer has been released)

Fans flooded cinema websites causing many of them to crash or slow down. Credit: Lucasfilm

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens will be released on December 17.