HOME Office officials are considering using human barcode technology being developed by a Darwen firm to improve British passport security.

Navigator Solutions, based in Duckworth Street, Darwen, has had support from the Home Office for the system, which is currently in the final stages of development.

It is based on a barcode containing personal details including fingerprint and photograph which could be included in passports and scanned at airport checkpoints.

In a letter to the company, Home Secretary David Blunkett said he was "interested in the range of proposals going forward" and had asked Minister of State for Citizenship and Immigration Lord Rooker to contact company bosses.

A spokeswoman for the company confirmed that Lord Rooker's department had been in touch with them and said negotiations with the government were continuing.

"We are absolutely thrilled to bits. You can't get any higher backing. It's the best accolade you could wish for," she said.

NSL has already had inquiries about the system from airports worldwide in the wake of the terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Centre in September.

NSL was set up three years ago by Chris Marsden and Mark Underwood who have spent two years developing the hi-tech security device, thanks to the funding from the Department of Trade and Industry's Smart programme.

Another of its products, the Fingertech Nav 500, which uses fingerprint recognition technology to provide controlled access systems, was developed with the help of a £75,000 grant from the Department of Trade and Industry.

A Home Office spokesman today said the UK Passport Agency was keen to keep up with new technologies but stressed that its research was in its infancy.

"The agency is going to be conducting research during this year but it's something that is at a very early stage," he said.

"Though currently the UK passport is one of the most secure in the world, it is important to consider and keep abreast of technological advances and how relevant they may be.

"We are certainly not ruling it out but at this stage there is nothing significant or concrete."

He added bi-lateral agreement would be needed between European Union states if the system was to be incorporated into passports.

NSL's research has been welcomed by the region's MPs.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson, who put the company in touch with the Home Office, said: "This is good news indeed. It's splendid that the product is being given recognition by the Home Office and it could have implications for many other Government documents."

Peter Pike, Labour MP for Burnley, said: "It's splendid news. This is exactly the sort of company and development we want in East Lancashire. High technology firms developing high value new products to benefit society."

Nigel Evans, Conservative MP for Ribble Valley, said: "It's great news. It's good news for ensuring that people using passports are who they say they are.

"But it has much wider ramifications. This technology could be used for benefits, pensions and other state payments to combat fraud.

"Millions of pounds are lost through fraud in the state every year and it's wonderful that an East Lancashire firm could be developing the technology to tackle this."