THE West of England launch for the first special Royal Mail stamps of 2004 will take place at Minehead railway station today (Friday).

The heritage West Somerset Railway will make a fitting backdrop for the stamps, which commemorate 200 years of steam locomotive history.

Amongst the engines featured is a Great Western-designed 'Manor' class locomotive and the WSR's flagship 7820 Dinmore Manor, which has been hauling passenger trains along the 20-mile line for the past decade, will be in action at the launch.