Ginette Hawes, of East Road, has spent the last 30 years saving her own stamps and collecting those given to her by other people.

She is currently cutting her way through 30,000 stamps given to her in a carrier bag by one of her friends.

"I do a lot of the cutting and trimming in front of the TV," said Mrs Hawes. "It keeps me out of mischief.

"If anybody wants to send me stamps they are more than welcome.

"I could never understand throwing them away when they could be re-used."

The 74 year old has had stamps from all over the world pass through her hands but said the most amusing one – a stamp in the shape of a heart – had come from America.

Mrs Hawes has the time-consuming task of separating them all into categories before sending them away.

"I would like to thank all those people who have given me stamps over the years," she said. "It has really brought me a lot of enjoyment."

The pensioner has already received a special letter of recognition for her services but said she is keen to reach the two million mark.

Anyone who would like to donate their old stamps to Mrs Hawes can contact the Newmarket Journal for her address.