After 30 years of collecting stamps for charity, 92-year-old John Howard is showing no signs of slowing down.

The former chief draughtsman for agency Unique Designs took up the task, which he calls his hobby, when he retired in 1985.

He continues to appeal for donations today.

It’s a big operation in his house in Hawksdown Road, Walmer. The stamps take up most of the room on his dining room table.

He trims them evenly around the edges and then sorts them into piles, including franked, unfranked and foreign.

He said: “Every evening my wife, Shirley, watches the TV with her headphones on, so I don’t have to hear it, and I do my stamps.”

When he has accumulated 2kg in weight, he posts them to various animal charities including Compassion in World Farming, Mare and Foal, International Fund for Animal Welfare, People’s dispensary for Sick Animals, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Network for Animals, World Animal Protection, Woodland Trust, Donkey Sanctuary, Farplace Animal Rescue, Animal Care Trust and Blue Cross.

He is a huge animal lover with a special adoration for dogs.

“At my age of 92 I cannot be sure how long I can expect to continue. I hope to live to 100. I will carry on until I can’t.” - John Howard

During his younger years living in Fleet, Hampshire, along with his wife, he bred Airedales. The couple have never been without a dog. They had eight at one time but only have one now, Ellie.

He said: “Throughout my long life I have tried to speak out for animals that suffer in silence. I like to think that stamps which are usually discarded as being of no further use can also be rescued and put to good use in aid of the animals.”

He sends 2kg about three times a year.

He has now reached the point where he has fewer than 100 stamps waiting to be trimmed and sorted and is calling for people to pass them on to him.

He said: “I collect all stamps regardless of country of origin or value. They don’t need to be trimmed or sorted but the donor’s name and address allows me to advise of any changes.”

He added: “At my age of 92 I cannot be sure how long I can expect to continue. I hope to live to 100. I will carry on until I can’t.”

He also accepts parcel stamps.

On top of his stamp work, Mr Howard has recently stopped driving and donated his car to the Animal Care Trust.

If anyone has any used stamps the could give to Mr Howard, they can post or deliver them to us at the East Kent Mercury, 13 Queen Street, Deal, Kent, CT14 6EX

The stamps will then be passed on to Mr Howard.