THE Passport Agency's new office serving the North-East is to open next week.

Home Office Minister Barbara Roche will unveil a plaque to mark the official opening of the premises, alongside the National Savings' complex at Milburngate House, in Durham City, on Tuesday.

It will then be open to the public to make passport applications in person, via a newly built reception area just off Milburngate Bridge.

Home Secretary Jack Straw announced plans last December for the new office for the region to relieve pressure at other premises, following huge backlogs last summer.

The agency was overrun with 9,500 applications for the 400-plus jobs needed to staff the office.

It has been dealing with postal passport applications for several weeks, but, with the new reception area finished, it will cater for personal visits from Tuesday.

Darren Jensen, Passport Agency customer services manager in Durham, said 230 people are now in post.

By the time the service is fully operational, early next year, all 400-plus will be working at the new office.

The office will be open to the public from 2pm on Tuesday, and from then, between 8.30am and 6pm on a daily basis.

Applicants can also book appointments, to prevent waiting, via a hotline - 0870-521 0410.