LAKE District fans across the UK are being urged to head to the post box this week (September 27 and 28) as a special postmark is launched in celebration of its new World Heritage Site status.

Millions of items of stamped mail sent Second Class on Wednesday, September 27 and First Class on Thursday, September 28, will have the greeting: ‘Celebrating the Lake District World Heritage Site #WeAreTheLakes’ applied at Royal Mail’s distribution centres nationwide.

Tony Watson, Head of Communications for the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “We are delighted this postmark will spread the word even further about the Lake District’s special badge of international recognition.

“We’d love to see as many people as possible head to the post-box this week and can’t wait to see how far the postmark will travel. And if you’re stuck for someone to send a letter to on Thursday, send it to us at the LDNPA for a chance to win a hamper full of Lake District goodies!”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to be recognising the Lake District being awarded World Heritage Site status with a postmark. It's fantastic news to share with the millions of customers that use Royal Mail every day.”

The Lake District National Park became the UK’s 31st UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 9, 2017. A marketing campaign, We Are The Lakes, was launched to capitalise on the new status and ensure it brings positive benefits to everyone who works, lives and visits the National Park.

Visit the Lake District National Park website for information on how to enter the postcard competition.