DARWEN MP Janet Anderson has welcomed news that all British residents over 75 will qualify for free 10-year passports to mark of their wartime efforts.
Home Secretary David Blunkett made the announcement ahead of the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
Mrs Anderson said: "We all recognise the sacrifices this generation made for our country and this scheme is an appropriate way to acknowledge their contribution."
Many veterans have already received free one-year passports and taken the opportunity to re-visit battlefields for the first time and re-establish links with former comrades.
The allocation of 10-year passport ensures veterans can make further visits in future years and means those who helped the war effort at home will also be recognised. It will save people whose birth date was on or before September 2, 1929, the £42 cost of a standard passport.
David Blunkett said: "It's only right that veterans should be able to return easily to the battlefields where they bravely fought."
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