A SPECIAL stamp featuring gold medal winner Tom James was released just 24 hours after he helped the men’s four defend their title with a sensational performance.

The former King’s School Chester student became a double Olympic champion on Saturday when he and crewmates Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed and Alex Gregory swept aside main rivals Australia to win rowing’s flagship event.

To honour their triumph, Royal Mail quickly issued celebratory stamps which were made available in more than 500 Post Office branches across the UK, including St John Street in Chester city centre. An additional 4,700 post offices will have received the stamps within a week.

A fleet of 90 vehicles delivered the stamps so they could go on sale by Sunday lunchtime – the first time Royal Mail has issued stamps on a Sunday.

In a separate tribute to Tom, who is from Coedpoeth near Wrexham, Royal Mail has also painted one of its red post boxes gold in his hometown.

You can also buy the stamps at www.royalmail.com/goldmedalstamps or by calling 08457 641 641.