A special Millennium stamp depicting Saltaire as pictured by Bradford-born artist David Hockney is to be launched in the historic village, the Telegraph & Argus can reveal today.

The 26p Mill Towns stamp - designed by Hockney and adapted from his 1997 painting Salts Mill, Saltaire - is one of the Workers' Tale set of four which form part of Royal Mail's collection of new Millennium stamps. A Royal Mail spokesman said the stamp would be launched at Salts Mill on May 4.

The launch will involve an enlargement of the stamp, which pictures the mill and nearby Saltaire United Reformed Church, with the 2,000 souvenir first day covers including a postcard of Hockney's painting and a frank reading Salts Mill, Saltaire, Shipley. And with millions of the stamps set to be printed the launch will form one of the biggest ever issues of a picture by a contemporary British artist.

The spokesman said: "Because Salts Mill is on the stamp and the fact that a lot of David Hockney's pictures are there we decided it was the most appropriate venue for the launch. We're still working on the details but we are hoping that Hockney will be there.'' Next month's event will be the second time a Hockney stamp has been launched at Salts Mill. In October 1992 his Euro stamp, celebrating the Single European Market - was launched there using a red "cubist'' post box designed by the artist. The spokesman said he believed it was unprecedented for a venue to have hosted two separate launches.

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