SCOUTS have begun sorting through the hundreds of Christmas cards they will deliver in Derbyshire over the festive period.

Cards and letters have already been posted in more than 250 yellow boxes in shops and offices as part the Scouts' Stamp and Deliver service.

Now in its 29th year, the service involves special stamps produced and sold at outlets across the city for 20p. Cards bearing these stamps can be posted in distinctive yellow collection boxes at the same outlet.

They are taken to one of the two sorting offices, in Allestree or Borrowash, from where they are collected and delivered by Scout groups.

The scheme has been running since 1982 and has so far raised around £92,000 for local charities, including last year's nominated organisation, the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.

This year, 10 per cent of the money will go to Headway Derby and Derbyshire Children's Hospital League of Friends.

The rest will be split between the 30 participating Scout groups, including Willington, Hilton, Duffield, Belper and Mickleover.

Last year, 222,529 cards were delivered across Derbyshire, raising £4,300.

Bill Hopkinson, of Willington, has been treasurer of the scheme in previous years.

This year, his wife, Margaret, is the treasurer.

He said: "Scouts, their parents and helpers work hard to deliver the cards in time for Christmas.

"We just hope lots of people buy the stamps and continue supporting us."

Mr Hopkinson was keen to remind people that the Scouts could deliver in only certain areas in Derbyshire.

Last year, about 2,000 cards could not be delivered because they were not addressed to the areas covered by the scheme.

Mr Hopkinson said: "Usually we pop a second-class stamp on and forward cards on, but this year we can't afford to do that because the price of stamps has gone up.

"So we want to make it clear that people should only post cards that they want delivering in our area."

People have until Thursday, December 16, to post their cards for Christmas delivery.

The yellow posting boxes are situated in shops, churches and garden centres.

The postal service covers the city of Derby, Belper and surrounding communities, and South Derbyshire villages.

A list of locations and where post boxes are can be found at www.stampand deliver.com

Alternatively, call 07930 760 655.