Sarkozy beats his work fatigue by collecting stamps

London, Feb 25 (ANI): In a bid to take his mind off the day job, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has taken up stamp collecting.

Giving a sneak peak into the 54-year-old's private life, it was revealed fellow heads of state including the Queen have helped Sarko fill his albums.

Sarkozy even sponsors the Elysee Philatelist Club, named after the Paris palace where he lives with wife Carla Bruni - who says she is delighted he has given up "less appropriate" pastimes, including karaoke singing, sources have revealed.

Pride of place in his stamp collection is a set issued by the Post Office in 2004 to celebrate the Entente Cordiale, a gift from the Queen when the Sarkozys stayed at Windsor Castle last year.

Sarkozy was also given a leather album full of stamps by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Mr Sarkozy's collection is slowly growing into one of the most impressive in the world because of all the international leaders he is in regular contact with'.

Being French president is a perfect job for a keen philatelist," The Telegraph quoted a source, as saying.

Paris-based Gala magazine revealed the existence of the stamp-collecting club, describing it as "an independent association based at the presidential residence."

Sarkozy is said to pursue his hobby during the evenings, regularly allowing Carla to inspect his albums. (ANI)