A FIRM'S fundraising efforts have earned them the stamp of approval.

Staff at TNT Express Services, Ramsbottom, joined colleagues across the UK in collecting more than 75,000 postage stamps for the Guide Dogs charity.

For the past five years, staff at the firm's locations in the UK have been removing and saving stamps from the thousands of letters and documents sent to the company every month to pass on to the charity.

Their most recent donation, collected over the past four months, is the biggest yet.

Eddie O'Donnell, general manager of the Ramsbottom depot, said: "This is a great start to our fundraising for 2005 and a fantastic effort by TNT employees. Their efforts will make a real contribution to enhancing the quality of life for people with visual impairment."

Abigail Thorn, corporate relationships account manager for Guide Dogs, said: "I would like to say a big thank-you to TNT for their contribution to our fundraising efforts. Used postage stamps represent a vital part of our income, generating around £35,000 a year. It costs £10 a day to breed, train and support each guide dog. With some 5,000 guide dog owners needing a new dog on average every seven years, every penny counts.

"The support of organisations like TNT and thousands of individual donors is crucial in enabling us to extend an independence lifeline to visually impaired people across the UK. Anyone wishing to donate stamps, or contribute to our new recycling campaigns for old mobile phones and in jet cartridges can call our fundraising team on 0118 983 8298."