A set of special stamps is being issued to celebrate rock group Queen, featuring images of some of their most popular album covers.

Band members said they were honoured by the tribute, which also includes a miniature set of stamps marking some of their live performances.

Album covers will be on eight stamps – Queen II, 1974; Sheer Heart Attack, 1974; A Night At The Opera, 1975; News Of The World, 1977; The Game, 1980; Greatest Hits, 1981; The Works, 1984; and Innuendo, 1991.

The miniature-sheet has images of Freddie Mercury at Wembley Stadium, 1986; Roger Taylor at Hyde Park, 1976; John Deacon at Hammersmith Odeon, 1975; and Brian May in Budapest, 1986.

Taylor said: “Wow – stamps featuring our albums. What an honour. We must be really part of the furniture now.”

May added: “Since we four precocious boys started out on our quest 50 years ago, our lives have been devoted to making our impossible dream come true.

“Sometimes it’s strange to wake up and realise the position in which we are now held – we have become a national institution, and nothing brings this home more than this incredible tribute from Royal Mail.

Philip Parker, of Royal Mail, said: “With their truly original, theatrical sound and effortless ability to mix musical styles, Queen are rock royalty. We pay tribute to one of the most loved bands of all time with these stunning stamps.”

The stamps go on sale from July 9.

Queen becomes only the third music group to have a dedicated stamp issue, following on from the Beatles in 2007 and Pink Floyd in 2016.