FIFTY years after they were first issued, Royal Mail is marking the anniversary of the first Castles High Value Definitive stamps.

The stamps were re-issued on March 22 and, true to the originals, were printed using the intaglio process and featuring the perforations used at that time (11 x 11.5).

The Castles high value definitives are the latest 1950s stamps to be re-issued by Royal Mail.

The Wilding Definitives were re-issued in two sets of nine stamps in December 2002 and May 2003 and proved very popular with collectors.

The four stamps feature Carrickfergus, Caernarfon, Edinburgh and Windsor castles as they did half a century ago - framed next to a young Queen Elizabeth, but now brought together in a miniature set.

But, although the values have been updated, designers Sedley Place ensured that the sheet compliments the original stamp designs by Lynton Lamb.

The top row of the miniature sheet features (original values shown second): the picturesque, 12th century castle of Carrickfergus 50p (2s 6d) alongside the 13th century fortress of Caernarfon (£1 (5s).

Edinburgh Castle stands imperiously above Scotland's capital city on the (£1 (10s) stamp; while Windsor, the world's largest occupied castle, completes the bottom row pairing on the 50p (£1) stamp.

The four stamps were originally printed by Waterlow & Sons and issued on September 1 (10s and £1) and September 23 (2s 6d and 5s) 1955.

They were among the first stamps to be printed on St. Edward's Crown watermarked paper.

The 2s 6d was also printed on chalk-surfaced paper by Bradbury Wilkinson. The stamps were replaced by Machin high values in March 1969 and withdrawn from philatelic sale on 15 May 1970. The £1 remains valid for postage but the others were invalidated from March 1, 1972.

Royal Mail is also issuing a colour brochure featuring details of the origins and printing of the original stamps and how the new versions were produced.

The Shuttle/Times and News has teamed up with Royal Mail to run a competition where 20 readers can each win a set of the stamps.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question:

Who designed the Castles stamps? by Friday, April 22.

Normal Newsquest rules apply.