MILLIONS of children around the world have been enthralled by her adventures with the White Rabbit and other bizarre characters.

Alice in Wonderland, the classic tale inspired by a ten-year-old girl who spent most of her adult life in Hampshire, has gripped generations of youngsters since it was first published in 1865.

Now the Royal Mail has celebrated the 150th anniversary of the book’s debut by producing a special set of stamps.

Award-winning artist Grahame Baker-Smith was commissioned to illustrate ten key scenes from the story, in which Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by surreal characters.

To coincide with the launch of the stamps, Walker Books has published a book with pages that fold out and bring the tale to life.

Andrew Hammond, Royal Mail’s director of stamps, said: “Alice in Wonderland remains a perennial favourite of children, and indeed adults, around the world.

“It’s fitting that in its 150th anniversary year it is celebrated with a wonderful set of stamps featuring striking images that do justice to such an iconic tale.”

The author, Lewis Carroll, was friends with Henry Liddell, vice-chancellor of Oxford University and Dean of Christ Church, Oxford.

During a boat trip along the River Thames, Carroll entertained Alice Liddell and the Dean’s other two children by telling them a story about a little girl who suddenly finds herself in a strange new land.

In 1864 he gave Alice a written version of the tale and published it commercially the following year.

After marrying Reginald Hargreaves at Westminster Abbey in 1880 Alice moved to Lyndhurst and lived in an 18th century mansion called Cuffnells.

She died in 1934 and her ashes are buried in the graveyard at St Michael and All Angels Church, Lyndhurst.

In 2009 the village held an eight-month Alice in Wonderland festival, which included an appearance by seven-year-old Sophie Goulding as the title character.

Sophie was introduced to Alice’s granddaughter, Mary Jean St Clair, of Tetbury, Gloucestershire.