Royal Mail has added special barcodes to stamps, making it possible for people to watch videos, read messages and view other information from senders.

The move, which starts on Tuesday, follows a successful trial, with the aim of connecting a letter with the digital world.

Customers can scan the barcodes while using the Royal Mail app and will eventually be able to watch videos, information about services, or even birthday messages and other greetings from senders.

At the moment, a video featuring Shaun the Sheep, created exclusively for Royal Mail by animation studio Aardman, is available to view.

It is the first in a series of planned videos to be released during 2022 that will allow customers sending stamped mail to choose which one the recipient can see when they receive an item of mail.

The new barcoded stamps will have a “digital twin” and the two will be connected by the Royal Mail app.

The barcodes match the stamp colour and sit alongside the main body of the stamp, separated by a simulated perforation line.

Sue Gray report: Boris Johnson ‘sorry’ after report says No 10 parties ‘represent a serious failure’ and ‘difficult to justify’

Partygate: Release of Sue Gray’s report is far from the end of the affair for the PM

Boris Johnson heading to Ukraine as he fights for his premiership after Sue Gray report

The barcodes will be available on so-called “definitive” stamps – the regular, everyday stamps featuring the profile of the Queen.

Non-barcoded definitive and Christmas stamps will remain valid until January 2023.

Nick Landon, Royal Mail chief commercial officer, said: “Introducing unique barcodes on our postage stamps allows us to connect the physical letter with the digital world and opens up the possibilities for a range of new innovative services in future.”

Related posts:

England fans urged to ‘drown out boos’ when players take the knee at Euro 2020 – but Scotland opt for different gesture Sarah Everard: Location sharing and rape alarms among new precautions women take ‘I cried the whole day’: Chris Eubank Jr opens up about death of his brother Sebastian British daily meat consumption down nearly a fifth in a decade – study Pro cyclist rammed off bike in London park by machete-wielding masked robbers on motorbikes ‘Pandora’s box marked Tory sleaze has been opened’, says SNP MP calling for police investigation Rashford takes his mum to Windsor as he collects MBE from William RSPCA investigating after woman filmed kicking and punching horse ‘Truly shocking’: Military chief alarmed at rise in rape reports among girls under 18 in armed forces Ban ‘culturally insensitive’ and ‘ridiculous’ court wigs, says black barrister PM contacted by Met Police over probe into lockdown-busting events in Downing Street ‘Leave by any means possible’: Britons in Ukraine warned not to expect military evacuation