SOME passports will be issued faster under a new system to be introduced in the New Year - but they will cost more.

The new service will be introduced at Passport Office public counters from January 14. Travellers requiring passports urgently will be able to obtain a one-week guaranteed service costing £60 or a same-day guaranteed premium service for £75.

The standard two-week service by post is going up to £30, an increase of £2 in the basic fee to cover the cost involved in checking entitlement and for issuing the passport.

A standard 10-year adult passport will cost £30 (up from £28) and a 48-page passport £40 (formerly £38). The UK Passport Service says this is the first increase in the basic fee since 1999.

One of Britain's main passport offices is in Dock Street, Newport. Bernard Herdan, chief executive of Uk Passport Services, said: "The new services will provide a guarantee to those who need their passports more quickly than our standard two-week service, if necessary on the same day.

"This is the first increase in passport fees for two years and I believe that in relation to the cost of travel abroad a fee of £30 for a standard 10-year passport still represents very good value for money."

UKPS is keen to encourage customers to plan ahead and apply early for their passports. It recommends that customers use Post Offices and Worldchoice outlets for lodging applications.

Customers can get assistance with completing their application form at these outlets, which are then securely delivered to the Passport Service in return for an additional fee of £4.

The service is also asking customers to check their passports and to apply early. Under the new 'fast track' arrangements, first-time applicants or travellers replacing lost and stolen passports will not normally be able to have their passports issued in less than a week.

The increase in fees is intended to pay for the changes. Last month during one week when checks were made, 100% of straightforward, correctly-completed applications were turned around within ten days by the UK service. Travellers and the service itself are hoping that there will no longer be delays in processing applications, some of which in recent years led to queues at passport offices.

*PICTURED: The Passport Office at Newport.