Stamps designed by an artist from Guiseley to commemorate Prince William's 18th birthday are selling like hotcakes in former British colonies around the world.

And collectors in this country are also said to be snapping up the stamps, which had to be approved by the Queen and the Prince of Wales before being issued.

Andrew Robinson, 39, who went to Rawdon's Benton Park School and still produces much of his work at his parents' home in Guiseley, was commissioned to produce a total of 35 stamps for Fiji, the Falkland Islands, the Cayman Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and Tristan De Cunha after applying for the job to the Crown Agents Stamp Bureau.

Designed on Mr Robinson's computer, the stamps are of varying values and include pictures of the young Prince casually tossing a stone into a river.

Nigel Fordham, head of the Surrey-based Crown Agents Stamp Bureau, said: "The stamps are selling very well, which has been helped by the media attention surrounding Prince William's birthday.

"They've been very well received and we understand from the comments coming back from these UK overseas territories that they're proving to be extremely popular.

"I think the picture showing the Prince throwing a stone into a river gives a refreshing approach to stamp design and reflects someone who is only 18.

"As the stamps bear the Queen's head and royal cypher they had to be approved by her and were sanctioned by Prince Charles' office so they were obviously pleased with them.''

Mr Robinson, who is currently working on a set of 12 stamps commemorating the history of transport in the Cayman Islands, said it was the best day of his life when he beat off bids from other commercial artists to win the Prince William commission.

He said: "I'm delighted about how well they're selling and feel quite proud that people in all these countries are buying the stamps I designed.

"It's very flattering and humbling to have your designs sell across the world but I've worked hard for this.''

Mr Robinson, who graduated from Blackpool Art College in 1984, added: "Once I left college the normal thing to do was go to London and find yourself and agent - but in the meantime I got myself a job illustrating the Readers' Digest Field Guide which is still selling.

"I've done a lot of natural history stuff but nothing like the Prince William thing. I was pleased to get such a prestigious commission and am now hoping to get some more commissions like it.''