A NEWPORT athlete competing at the Commonwealth Games has helped to launch a new set of stamps marking the event. Bassaleg triathlete Anneliese Heard (pictured) attended the unveiling of the five new stamps released by the Royal Mail today.

Three of them portray events in which she competes - swimming, cycling and track. The stamps are three times the length of a standard stamp to capture the speed, power and excitement of the forthcoming games which open in Manchester later this month.

She took time out of her build-up at Bath University to launch the first class, second class and 37p stamps.

Anneliese said: "I'm delighted to have been one of the Welsh team invited by Royal Mail to launch these stamps.

"I've had a tough time over the last couple of months, coming back from injury and rebuilding my fitness.

"But I'm really happy with the way things are progressing and I'm really looking forward to the big challenge ahead of me next month.

"It's going to be a hard competition because I'll be up against some of the best triathletes in the world.

"It's a top-class field and to be part of it is something very special".