Avid stamp collectors may be delighted to hear that a very special set of six new stamps will be released on Friday (September 2) to commemorate 350 years since the Great Fire of London.

The unique Royal Mail stamps will show key scenes from the huge blaze that devastated the city for four days in 1666.

More than 13,000 houses and 87 churches were obliterated in the fire, including St Paul's Cathedral.

An estimated 10 people died in the fire that started on September 2 and thousands lost their homes.

To mark the anniversary, a huge model sculpture of London's skyline in 1666 will also be set alight on the River Thames this weekend to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London.

'One of the most infamous events in the history of London'

The six graphic-novel style stamps

Philip Parker from the Royal Mail said: “The Great Fire of London is one of the most infamous events in the history of London.

“Despite the terrible devastation caused by the great fire, it provided an opportunity for the regeneration of large swathes of the city and shaped the London we know today.

“It is fitting that we mark the anniversary of the fire with an innovative set of stamps that re-imagine the events.”

Designed by the esteemed comic book artist and writer John Higgins, who has worked on Judge Dredd and Watchmen comics, the stamps also mark the first time a British stamp will adopt a graphic-novel style.

'A wonderful challenge'

The six stamps depict the start, spread and aftermath of the great fire.

Mr Higgins said: “It is an honour to illustrate these stamps and to commemorate this moment in history 350 years on.

“Capturing the story of the Great Fire of London in just six special stamps was a wonderful challenge, I am thrilled to have been chosen to bring the graphic-novel style.”

The fire started in Pudding Lane in central London after dry hot summer had left many of the city's wooden buildings as dry as tinder.

The stamps will be available from www.royalmail.com/greatfire and from 8,000 post offices.

Stamp by stamp

Sunday 2 September 1666

  • A fire breaks out in a bakery on Pudding Lane

  • Thomas Farriner, the baker, and his daughter escape through a window

Sunday 2 September 1666

  • The fire spreads rapidly

  • Many people flee to the river with their possessions

Monday 3 September 1666

  • Houses are pulled down to create breaks and stop the fire from spreading

Tuesday 4 September 1666

  • As the fire reaches St. Paul’s, citizens witness the cathedral’s destruction

  • Belongings stored inside fuel the flames

Wednesday 5 September 1666

  • The fire dies down and many gather at Moorfields. Temporary food markets are set up across London

Tuesday 11 September 1666

  • Christopher Wren develops plans for the regeneration of the city and presents them to the King