The nation's favourite felines are appearing on their own set of stamps.

The most popular owned cats in the UK - both pedigree breeds and moggies - have been chosen by Royal Mail for a special new collection.

With more than 10 million cats in the UK - and around one in four UK households cat owners - the stamp set has been designed to celebrate all the characteristics of domestic cats, say those behind the release.

A Siamese, Tabby, ginger cat, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, a black and white cat, a Bengal and a tabby and white have all been given their own stamp with the images showing the pets doing everything from grooming to sleeping, stretching to stalking.

Royal Mail says it worked with author and animal expert, Tamsin Pickeral, author of The Grace of the Cat: An illustrated History on the stamp issue.

And the postal service's relationship with cats is historic - with the Post Office formally employing felines between 1868 and 1984 to keep mice away from sorting offices and other buildings.

David Gold, Director External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “These beautiful stamps showing cats being cats, show why as a nation, we are besotted with them.

"Their enchanting, independent and quirky ways are perfectly captured in these images that all animal lovers will adore.”

The stamps can be bought from today via the Royal Mail website.

The collections come in a range of formats including as sheets of both first and second stamps, in presentation packs and even postcards with prices ranging from £12.96 for a presentation pack to £15.15 for a souvenir cover.