LOCAL stamp collectors were waiting overnight in the winter chill and rain yesterday to get their hands on the latest Chinese New Year stamps, which go on sale this morning at 87 local post offices.

The special stamps are available only at the weekend and doors were due to open from 6:30am. Also available will be related items, such as a stamp album and hongbao, the traditional holiday “red envelopes” for cash gift-giving.

Every year the New Year zodiac stamps’ release is eagerly anticipated by collectors. Although China Post provides online sales, many local people, especially the elderly, queue up outside post offices with some even using items such as bricks or benches to save their place in the line.