Braintree ventriloquist Stella Richards is having her own stamps made as a souvenir of her time spent with Prime Minister Tony Blair and one of her oldest puppets.
A far cry from the formal face of the Queen, Mrs Richards can now be seen smiling along with Jingles on a bona fide stamp design that will be accepted as postage payment worldwide.
The puppeteer met Mr Blair after winning a competition. She took Jingles, a 50-year-old white furry dog, when she visited Downing Street.
The fun-loving pensioner then sent her favourite picture of her and the furry companion - she was unable to use pictures of Mr Blair due to copyright - to the Royal Mail.
She has ordered 40 special stamps as a permanent reminder of the day.
"Mr Blair really liked Jingles who playfully nipped at his finger. I enjoyed myself so much I wanted a souvenir. That's why I'm getting the stamps done.
"I will use them and send some to friends who are puppet collectors, but I will keep a couple as a memento," she said.
"Mr Blair was nice, very pleasant. He was more relaxed than when you see him on the TV," she added.
Published Tuesday October 15, 2002
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