THE summer heroics of England's Test cricketers, including the Durham and Yorkshire contingent, really got the Aussies licked.

Now their achievement, winning the Ashes back from the previously all-conquering Australians for the first time in 18 years, has been given an official stamp of approval by the Royal Mail.

The decision by Mail bosses to recognise the historic Test series victory with the "special delivery" of four commemorative stamps has given Michael Vaughan's team another first.

They have become the first living people, other than the Royal Family, to be identifiable on a set of Royal Mail special stamps.

The set of four features two first-class stamps and two 68p basic air-mail delivery stamps.

One portrays Vaughan lifting the Ashes urn after the fifth Test at the Oval, surrounded by team-mates, including fellow Yorkshire player Matthew Hoggard and Durham's Steve Harmison.

Other action scenes feature Vaughan running between the wickets, England hero Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff being congratulated after taking an Australian wicket, and Ashley Giles landing another Aussie batsman's scalp.

Julietta Edgar, head of special stamps at the Royal Mail, said: "Royal Mail is committed to celebrating social themes and important occasions central to our way of life.

"England's victory in the summer's Ashes series certainly counts as a momentous occasion, making it an ideal topic for a set of Royal Mail special stamps."

They are available at post offices from next Thursday in a miniature sheet containing the four stamps, along with a breakdown of the key moments from all five Tests, plus the individual statistics of the England squad.

Durham County Cricket Club spokeswoman Yvette Thompson last night described it as a huge honour for Harmison to be honoured for his role in the series by being featured on the stamps.

"Everyone at the club is proud of his achievements and we are delighted the England squad has been recognised with their own commemorative set of stamps."

Harmison was joined by Durham team-mate Paul Collingwood in the England side for the decisive final match of the summer, while another Durham player, sub-fielder Gary Pratt, became a cult hero by running out Australian captain Ricky Ponting in the fourth Test victory.