A Kent landmark features in the latest issue of stamps from the Royal Mail and was selected from hundreds of possible subjects.

Woodchurch Windmill is part of a set of six stamps illustrating windmills and watermills from around the UK that has been issued today.

The Royal Mail’s stamp expert Philip Parker said that after sifting through hundreds of requests from members of the public for subjects to be featured and considering anniversaries and events, Woodchurch Windmill was one of those chosen for its special collection.

Built in 1820 the smock windmill is approaching its 200th anniversary and was carefully restored and preserved by the Friends of Woodchurch Windmill after decades of decay, together with Ashford Borough Council.

The upper mill was used as an observation post in the First World War.

The set of stamps also includes Nutley Windmill, east Sussex; New Abbey Corn Mill, Dumfries and Galloway; Ballycopeland Windmill, County Down, Northern Ireland; Cheddleton Flint Mill, Staffordshire and Felin Cochwillan Mill, Gwynedd.

Mr Parker said that a 30-month rolling programme is in place to bring out new stamps and the time frame means that the subjects are extensively researched and carefully illustrated before being presented to the Queen.

He said: “Every new stamp has to go to Buckingham Palace and be looked at by the Queen and once approved they can be issued by the Post Office."

Royal Mail will provide a special hand stamp on all mail posted in a postbox closest to where the windmill or watermill is located. It will be applied for five days from June 20 to 24.

The hand stamp for Woodchurch windmill will apply to stamped mail posted in the postbox located at the junction of Redbrook Street and Bethersden Road (box TN26 43 Shirkoak).