Stamp collectors in Great Yarmouth have thrown down the gauntlet to other clubs across the country in a bid to get into the record books. Club secretary Gerry Mobbs said 50 displays of stamps were shown at its monthly meeting at Gorleston Library on Monday and is asking other clubs if they have done any better.

Stamp collectors in Great Yarmouth have thrown down the gauntlet to other clubs across the country in a bid to get into the record books.

Club secretary Gerry Mobbs said 50 displays of stamps were shown at its monthly meeting at Gorleston Library on Monday and is asking other clubs if they have done any better.

Although he's not sure a record exists to be broken Mr Mobbs, who gives talks far and wide, is keen to raise the profile of stamp collecting and shrug off its “nerdy” image.

He said he was delighted by the effort which saw varied collections on themes ranging from America, butterflies, Cyprus and the Russian Olympics, adding: “It was amazing. All the displays were different. We were expecting about 30/35 but it went very much better than expected.”

Mr Mobbs, 63, from Ormesby St Margaret, said that what started as a boyhood hobby had become a life-long passion fuelled by the thrill of the chase or the buzz of an unexpected find.

The club has 44 members aged between 38 to 93 who meet every two weeks. Mr Mobbs said stamp collecting was an ideal hobby limited only by cost that could be picked up and left at any time.

He specialises in stamps from Sierra Leone some of which change hands for up to �33,000. He said the commotion over Penny Blacks was often misplaced with many selling for just �35 and only the very rarest worth more. Stamp collecting he added was an excellent learning tool especially in history and geography, helping to fire young imaginations.

For more information about the club call Mr Mobbs on 01493 730619.