KAREN MacLellan of Lydbrook is a woman with a mission – she wants the Forest of Dean to produce its own stamp.
"Well, there have been special stamps for Wales and Scotland," said Karen, who works on the switchboard at Haberdashers' School, Monmouth.
"And then I read an article in the Times really which described the Forest as 'a unique place, a world apart' which wasn't quite England and wasn't quite Wales.
"We were talking about it in a pub actually – since I cross the border to go to work there's often a joke about needing a passport – and it came to me that a stamp would be a good idea.
"Looking into it though we couldn't have a proper postage stamp, which would need the Queen's head, so I thought I might try to produce the stamp myself for sale as something special Forest people could put on letters and cards. I would like it to have a symbol, such as the Freeminer.
"I am hoping it can be produced for Christmas as a special edition and any funds raised donated to charity or perhaps for something in the Forest itself.
"I haven't settled on a design yet – all ideas would be gratefully received – but I have a scanner and can work on it on my computer."
Anyone with ideas for Karen's Forest stamp can call her on 01594 860743.