THEY have been a part of our lives for more than 1,000 years - now Royal Mail pays tribute to the great British tradition of pub signs on special stamps.

From alestakes in mediaeval times to the painted signs seen today, these under-rated works of art have a long history and some equally impressive stores.

Pub signs, on sale from Tuesday, August 12, features five images which were used on signs spanning the 20th century.

The Station was one of a series commissioned by John Smith's Yorkshire brewery and originally hung outside a pub in Thurscoe, south Yorkshire, in 1986.

The Black Swan to some, the Mucky Duck to others, the feathered friend on the E class stamp is always guaranteed to produce some interesting stories.

Painted for a pub in Falmouth in 1987 by sign artist Stanley Chew, the Black Swan first appeared on a pub sign in Lincoln in 1660.

Many pubs called the White Swan - a mediaeval emblem of innocence - saw their signs painted black as a sign of mourning by publicans angry at the gin tax of 1736.

Cross Keys are a common sign in Christian heraldry, referring to St Peter, to who Chris said: "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven".

The Mayflower pub in Rotherhithe, east London, has an unusual link to philately - it does not just sell beer, it is also licensed to sell both English and American stamps, originally granted for the benefit of seamen.

Joy Cooper painted many signs in a bold contempory style for the St Austell brewery in Cornwall in the 1940s, including The Barley Sheaf featured on the 68p stamp.

The sign was created for a pub in Bodmin, Cornwall, and other examples of this rare sign exist in nearby Truro and Hinkley, Leicestershire.

To win a set of these pub sign stamps, answer the following question:

What was the forerunner of the pub sign called?

The competition will close on Friday, August 15.

Normal Newsquest rules apply.