Two of Terry Pratchett's Discworld characters appear on commemorative stamps

Two fictional characters created by Wiltshire author Sir Terry Pratchett are to appear on Royal Mail stamps in 2011.

Rincewind and Nanny Ogg, who feature in many of the author's popular Discworld novels, are among "the very best of British" to be celebrated by the commemorative stamps.

Sir Terry, who lives in Broad Chalke near Salisbury, has sold millions of copies of his comic fantasy novels worldwide and has had his work translated into 33 languages.

The eight stamps in the Magical Realms series salute "the fictional characters that have enchanted generations of readers".

The stamp issue celebrates the "very best of British"

Due to be issued on 8 March, the set will include both Rincewind, a central character in many of the Discworld novels, and the infamous witch Nanny Ogg on first-class stamps.

Voldemort and Dumbledore from JK Rowling's Harry Potter books, along with Aslan and the White Queen from CS Lewis' Narnia, will also be among the fictional characters featured.

Philip Parker from Royal Mail Stamps said: "This is by far the most exciting start to a year for Royal Mail Stamps.

"There's something for everyone in the first half of 2011, with Magical Realms just one of the themes dropping on the doormats across millions of homes in the UK and across the world."