PRESTON and South Ribble's two main Post Offices have been given permission to grant free two-year extensions to passports for people due to go abroad soon.

Currently, thousands of people across the country face the prospect of having to cancel their holiday after a new computer system introduced at the Passport Agency created huge delays in the distribution of requested passports.

The mayhem has led to many people from this area travelling down to Liverpool and queuing for hours in a last ditch attempt to get their new passport - but having to pay £10 for the privilege.

But now people waiting for passports have been told they can visit the main Preston Post Office on Birley Street, or Leyland's Post Office on Hough Lane, and have their passport expiry date extended by two years.

Post Office Counters managing director Stuart Sweetman said: "We will be doing everything we can to assist in clearing the current backlog of applications.

"The nation relies on post offices for a range of essential services."

Passport extensions are available to any adult with a passport, and to children on another person's passport until their 16th birthday. The extensions do not apply to the former one year British Visitors Passport. A call centre for people travelling within a week who have not received a passport has been set up. Call 0845 600 46 46.

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