A LEADING councillor is urging the Government to embrace the Christmas spirit by offering cheap stamps for festive cards.

Stephen Smailes, a ward councillor for Hartburn, and leader of the Stockton Conservatives, plans to write to Alistair Darling, the social security secretary, putting forward a plan for concessions for pensioners.

He believes that the over-65s should be allocated about £25 worth of stamps, at a price of 10p or 12p each, so they can afford to send Christmas cards.

Mr Smailes said the current prices of stamps often prevents them from sharing in the season of goodwill.

He said: "Under my scheme, the reduced stamps would be limited to between the end of November and Christmas.

"I think a lot of pensioners would appreciate it."