The Dean of Lichfield Cathedral hopes its depiction on Royal Mail's new 1st class stamp will help boost the economy of Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

The Rt Rev Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, spoke as a new set of Royal Mail commemorative stamps featuring British Cathedrals went on sale this week. Lichfield is pictured on the first class stamp.

He said: "We are delighted that we have been chosen to be the first class stamp for the new commemorative series on British Cathedrals. Lichfield is a bit of an undiscovered gem as far as British cathedrals go and so we are totally thrilled that our profile is raised by this wonderful bit of fortune.

"One of the things we want to play a part in is the economic partnership we can make with the county and with the region. A lot of people pass through Staffordshire on their way north or south, and I hope this is one of those 'holy lures' which brings people in and helps them discover some of the great glories around this place."

Describing the stamp, Dorber said: "It's a stunning picture of the interior. Most people see cathedrals from the outside, they just know the skyline. But I think all these stamps draw you in and Lichfield certainly has got plenty to see inside."

Last month the Duke of Gloucester launched Lichfield Inspires, a ten-year programme which the cathedral hopes will double visitor numbers at Britain's only medieval cathedral with three spires.

The Dean says the release of the new Royal Mail stamps could not have come at a better time. "It raises our profile considerably and gives us national and international recognition," he says. "We couldn't have really wished for a better start to Lichfield Inspires, a long programme of conservation, repair and renewal."

To coincide with the release of the new stamps, the cathedral is embarking on a two-week "stamp-fest" featuring free musical performances and tours to parts of the cathedral which are not normally open to the public. They hope the stamp fest will help people to rediscover their cathedral.

Sue Brown, operations officer of the cathedral said: "We are really pleased to be able to offer such a wide selection of visitor tours and we welcome people of all ages to come and discover more about the Cathedral.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to see some aspects of the Cathedral, which are not usually open to the public and with the addition of uplifting music, the Stamp Celebration period will be an unforgettable time for any visitor."



The special 'Stamp Tours' begin on Wednesday 14 May and continue through to Saturday 24 May, with the exception of Sunday 18 May and Tuesday 20 May when there will be no tours. The 45 minute tours are free to the public during this time, with the exception of the roof tour which will cost £5.00 per person.

Among the tours on offer are:

Treasures - Including the 'Hacket Silver' and the 'Lang Commission' plus the Cathedral Library, which is not usually open to the public.

Statues and Carvings - Savour the skill of craftsmen in stone and wood

Angel family - 'Hunt for an Angel' - a tour for families and all ages

Angels - A tour suitable for adults

Stained glass - A glimpse of the Cathedral's fabulous 16th - 19th century windows

Roof tour - With stunning views over Lichfield

www.lichfield-cathedral.org

The Roof and Treasure tours must be booked in advance by calling 01543 306240 and are limited to 12 participants for each Treasures Tour and 15 for the Roof Tour.

The Stamp Fest includes free lunchtime music from 12 .00 Midday to 12.30pm, on the 14th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd May. And the cathedral choir will sing a free concert of popular choral classics at 7.30pm on 13th May.

Full details of the tours and the music recitals, including a timetable and booking information, can be found on the Lichfield Cathedral website - lichfield-cathedral.org.