of Diana, Princess of Wales -- with a Royal stamp of approval.

And it is believed to be the first time cash from sales of stamps will go to charities, both at home at abroad.

The first-day cover will be released on March 31, with all four of the new stamps featured -- full colour photographs on a pale blue background.

The first-day cover -- to cost $3.50 -- also bears a bunch of four white roses and the Princess' birth date, July 1, 1961, and the date of her death in a Paris car crash, August 31, 1997.

On the back flap of the envelope, Bermuda is highlighted through a magnifying glass on a map of the North Atlantic.

And 25 cents of the value of every four-stamp $2.40 sheet sold overseas will go to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

The same amount will go to the Island branch of the Red Cross from every sheet sold in Bermuda.

Postmaster General Clevelyn Crichlow said: "The surcharge is in keeping with what the Crown Agents came up with -- that a proportion should go to charity.'' He added: "I anticipate there should be a fairly good demand for it -- most people will want it for a souvenir, especially people who don't normally collect stamps.'' Mr. Crichlow predicted the stamp could become a huge seller because of the fast-growing Princess Diana legend.

He said: "I would certainly think it would be one of our biggest sellers -- there was such an outpouring of sympathy.'' Diana stamps go on sale memorial to her and her life.'' Bermuda Post Office coordinator of philatelic services Yvonne Smith said the issue had been overseen by the UK to ensure Princess Diana's memory was not exploited -- and that the charity donations were part of the Island's desire to make a positive contribution to organisations supported by the Princess.

She said: "To my knowledge, this is the first time we have done something of this nature in Bermuda.'' Ms Smith added she could not guess at how much might be raised for charity from the issue.

But she added the stamp issue is being marketed all over the world by the UK Crown Agents, the Bermuda Post Office's overseas agents.

She said: "Because Princess Diana has had such an enormous public appeal, we are hoping the stamps will sell well.

"It's put out as a tribute with a surcharge because that will go to charity -- this all had to be approved in Britain.

"They wanted something which would reflect Princess Diana and not something which would be done to make money or exploit her memory.'' The four stamps show Princess Diana's evolution from shy new princess to sophisticated style queen.

All four photographs were chosen from a selection made available by the UK.

POLICE FIND STOLEN CAR CRM Police find stolen car A Hyundai car reported stolen at the weekend has been recovered.

A Police spokesman said yesterday that the brown hatchback, taken from Skroggins Hill, Southampton, had been returned to its owner.

FIRST-DAY COVER -- It will be released on March 31, with all four of the new stamps featured -- full colour photographs on a pale blue background.