WIRRAL people can once again take advantage of the Scout Post to deliver their Christmas cards this year.

For more than 30 years, Wirral Scouts and Guides have been running the Christmas Charity Post delivery service to Wirral addresses.

For 25p per Scout Post stamp, volunteers will collect your cards from special drop off points around the Wirral area, sort into rounds and deliver cards to your friends, families and loved ones.

The fundraising initiative – which runs until December 18 – is a cooperative venture between 46 Scout Groups, two Guide Units, three Ranger Units and five Guide Districts.

Since its inception 32 years ago, the Wirral Christmas Charity Post has raised more than half a million pounds for more than 261 charities, in addition to more than 50 different Scout and Guide units and groups.

Eighteen charities will benefit this year, including Advocacy in Wirral, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hoylake Cottage, Radio Clatterbridge, West Kirby Museum Group, Wirral and Cheshire Riding for the Disabled and Wirral Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Will Ravenscroft, of the 11th Bebington Scout Group, has been helping to deliver the Scout Post for the last few years.

The 13-year-old said: "By buying our stamps you save yourself money, support your local scout and guide groups and raise money for local charities."

Gordon Lythgoe, treasurer of the 11th Bebington Scout Group, added: "Last year the charity post donated £26,000 to charities in Wirral and we hope that this year, with the continued support of the local community, that we’ll be able to donate even more to some really great causes."

Stamps can be purchased in participating stores across the peninsular in West Wirral, Wallasey, Bebington, Birkenhead and Neston, and cards can be posted in charity post boxes in the same shops.

Chris Cain, of Homebirds in Higher Bebington, is celebrating 10 years of selling the charity stamps in his store.

He said: "It is a privilege to be part of the team that supports the Charity Post each year.

"It's a labour-intensive project as volunteers are also required to sort and deliver the cards, but it's worth all the work and a great opportunity to give something back to the local community.

"The stamps are on sale from our shop seven days a week."

Cards can be posted until 12pm on December 18.

For participating venues and more information, visit wirralcharitypost.org