Identity cards available to Rochdale residents

Date published: 07 December 2009

People who live or work in Greater Manchester can now enrol for a National Identity Card.

Appointments for members of the public to enrol their fingerprints have started at Identity and Passport offices in the city centre and at Manchester Airport.

The £30 cards can be used to show proof of age and identity and to travel around Europe in place of a passport.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “The many benefits of the National Identity Card can now be enjoyed by members of the public in Manchester.

“The first applicants will soon be taking advantage of the voluntary card as a means to prove and protect their identity in a quick, simple and secure way.

“It can be used by young people as a convenient and universal proof of age and as a credit-card sized alternative to the passport when travelling in Europe.”

Identity Minister Meg Hillier said: “Greater Manchester has one of the highest populations of students in Europe.

"With research by the Identity and Passport Service showing that nearly ten per cent of passports are lost by young people on nights out and tough legislation introduced this month to clamp down on underage drinking, it will be more important than ever for young people to have access to a universally accepted proof of age.

“This viable alternative to carrying a passport has been endorsed by businesses across Manchester and by Greater Manchester Police.”

Citizens from across the North West will be able to apply for a card early next year and there will be full national coverage by 2012.