Scouts across Swindon and the surrounding villages are getting ready to provide their annual Christmas Card postal service

Running since 1983, the scheme saw 70,000 cards hand sorted and delivered last Christmas.

This year the boys and girls are determined to push even more through letterboxes.

It's a major fundraiser for the for the 30 groups in the area and has support from retailers all around the town.

Stamps cost 35p and all the proceeds go towards local units - 15p per stamp for the group that sells it and 20p for the group that delivers the cards.

Stamps can be bought online or from locations including Swindon Central Library, Victoria News in Old Town, Baileys Corner Newsstand, Bryan Turner Butchers in Ferndale Road, the Salvation Army charity shop in Gorse Hill, Tesco Extra customer services in Ocotal Way and Pinetrees Library.

A full list is available online at swindonscouts.org.uk/post along with more information about the scheme.

Green Scout Post labelled boxes are in the same locations and are open from this Friday to 4pm on December 13.

Cards are then sorted and delivered over the weekend of December 17 by the Scouts themselves.

The service can be used by individuals sending to family and friends as well as businesses wanting to send their customers a Christmas Card. Only cards- no parcels or money no matter how small - can be posted and sender should make sure to include the full address with post code.

Deliveries are made within an area bounded by Inglesham, Cricklade, Purton Stoke, Purton, Lydiard Millicent, Hook, Tockenham, Bushton, Clyffe Pypard, Broad Hinton, Chiseldon, Badbury, Bishopstone, Ashbury, Watchfield and Coleshill.

There are around 30 groups in Swindon and the surrounding areas, all of whom benefit from supporting the service.

Proceeds from stamp sales help the groups cover the cost of activities, buying new equipment and increasing participation in Scouting.