Holiday-starved UK residents hoping to travel abroad for a well-deserved break are still facing ten week queues to renew their passports - thanks to the pandemic.
The waiting time is over triple that of the clearing period pre-coronavirus, when it took just three weeks to get a new document.
Problems with staffing and a backlog of applications have seen the passport office issue a warning to those trying to get renewed papers.
Texts have been sent by mobile phone out to those whose documents are nearing expiry.
It reads: 'Reminder: It takes up to ten weeks to get a new passport. Don't leave it too late, renew now.'
And the website for the identifying travel papers urges people to avoid delaying getting them re-ordered.
Passport alerts have been sent by text warning people they need to renew in good time
There were three million less renewals last year thanks to the coronavirus pandemic
Director General of Her Majesty's Passport Office, Abi Tierney, said: 'It is vital those who may need to apply for a new passport do so now.
'If you have delayed renewing your passport or are applying for the first time, please apply now so you can receive it in good time.
'Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that passport applications are processed as quickly as possible.
'This new advice will help to ensure that we continue to meet the travel plans of our customers during any period of the very highest passport demand.'
The passport office says it usually has an excess of seven million people apply for renewal.
But it says the pandemic has seen a 'significant drop' from applicants.
Covid cases in the UK and France look set to pass each other in the coming days as a wave of delta cases in Britain drops while it is on the rise across the Channel
