Stamp collectors are gearing up to celebrate an important milestone.

Macclesfield and Prestbury Philatelic Society celebrates its 60^th anniversary this year.

To mark the occasion, they will be staging an exhibition entitled 'Letters from Macclesfield' documenting the postal history of Macclesfield since 1700.

Alan Dinnis, the society's current chairman, said: "We wanted to do something special to mark our 60th anniversary, and what better than an exhibition to show the story of the posts in the Macclesfield area over past years? 

"We are very much looking forward to the exhibition.  

"It will give us the opportunity to demonstrate not just part of our local history, but also what an absorbing pastime philately can be. 

"Philatelists are a friendly bunch and, in addition to welcoming local citizens, we expect to see keen collectors from many other parts of the country."

The exhibition will document the postal history of Macclesfield (Credit: Nub News)

Born in the 1940s, Alan moved to the Macclesfield area in 1982.

He first developed an interest in philately (the study of postage stamps and postal history) when he was around eight years old.

"I had an elder brother who collected postage stamps and two inspiring teachers who ran a Stamp Society at school," Alan said.

"Since those days the hobby has evolved.  

"The advent of the internet has opened up wonderful opportunities for research into any subject the collector chooses whether it be far-off countries, cultures and traditions, ships, flowers, costumes, sports, historic events, etc. The list is endless, all with a common postal theme."

Macclesfield and Prestbury Philatelic Society meet once a month.

Meetings often involve talks from guest speakers and members, who showcase postal items from across the world, spanning a wide a range of subjects.

The 'Letters from Macclesfield' exhibition will be held at the Silk Museum on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.

It will feature original letters, postcards, maps, postmarks, photographs and other items telling the postal history of Macclesfield from the early 1700's, when Nicholas Thornby was appointed the town's first postmaster and mail was carried to and from Macclesfield by a man on a horse.

Displays will cover the introduction of mail coach services in 1785, the advent of Penny Postage in 1840 and the development of post offices in the area up to the present day.

The exhibition will also explain the important part now played by Macclesfield in producing postage stamps issued by most countries of the world.

At 2pm on the Saturday, there will be a talk and display on silk postcards.