"Factor in six week wait for first passport," holidaymakers told

Holidaymakers booking breaks during January have been reminded they face a wait of six weeks for first passports for young adults aged over 16.

The warning, from the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), comes on the busiest day of the year for Britons booking summer holidays.

Should they not allow the requisite period, holidaymakers could be unable to travel the IPS warned.

Home Office minister Meg Hiller said: "With Christmas festivities at an end, it's the natural time to start looking ahead and planning your summer break.

"As part of that process we are encouraging holidaymakers to check their passport is up-to-date as it now can take up to six weeks for first-time adult customers to get a new passport."

She added: "Interviews for first-time adult customers will build on other anti-fraud measures we have introduced such as enhanced background checks and more secure passports with your photo contained on a chip."

Figures from the Association of British Travel agents show that as many as 500,000 holidaymakers could be booking their summer vacation today.

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