Scouts are set to spread Christmas cheer this year by bringing back a successful postal service in Bradford on Avon.

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers from 1st Bradford on Avon Scout Group are offering to post local Christmas cards within the BA15 postcode at a price below those of Royal Mail.

The group of children, along with their parents and leaders, will collect and hand deliver post using specially designed stamps.

Last year, the children delivered 1,500 letters and raised £700 and the service was so well received by residents that group leaders decided to run it again.

Each stamp costs 20p and can be bought in a book of 10 from Sainsbury’s, Budgens, Bradford and Winsley Co-op, Tillions, A N P Stores, Station Place chip shop, Murco and Texaco petrol stations, the town council, swimming pool, Winsley School, Winsley Christmas Tree Farm, Hartley Farm, Westwood Village Stores and The New Inn, where there are also special red post boxes.

This year the scouting group ran a competition for the coveted stamp design and the winner was Beaver James, six.

Frazer Buxton, Beaver leader, said that scout post was important not only to the children involved but also to the community.

He said: “One of the values of the Scout movement is the community and the relationship we hold with them and we see this as an ongoing relationship.”

“I think the scout post is important, in particular, that we are being seen to help out. The response last year from the community was just a big thank you to the scout group.”

All money raised will help fund the scout group, enabling them to continue their work in the community in 2015.

The post boxes open tomorrow and the last post is at 5pm on December 13.