Passports to be free for over-75s

People aged over 75 in Jersey will soon be able to renew or apply for a passport for free.

The move was announced in June when the UK Home Secretary announced all British passport holders over 75 will be eligible for free 10-year passports.

It was originally only being made to people who had served in the armed forces during the World War II so they could re-visit the battlefields.

But it was decided the scheme should also include everyone over 75.

That was because they all would have contributed to the British war effort and it includes people in the Channel Islands.

The new arrangement is likely to come in next year once the UK Passport Office makes the arrangements.

Jersey's Immigration and Nationality Department says it is expecting to introduce the change next year.