THE city's MP has been contacted by more than 30 West Fifers who have faced delays at the passport office, branding the hold-ups as "a complete farce".

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman urged travellers to send off applications early amid passport chaos.

READ MORE: West Fife man warns of 'absolute nightmare' after missing out on holiday

The current delays are due to a backlog of more than 500,000 applications and a surge in new ones ahead of summer, according to the passport office, who are advising applicants allow up to 10 weeks for a new passport to come through – although it could still take even longer.

Mr Chapman said: “This situation with the passport office is a complete farce.

“The Home Office has blamed most of the delays on a sudden increase in demand, which is ridiculous given this situation was entirely predictable ahead of summer.

“We’re told more staff are being recruited to the passport office to clear the backlog there but even this will take weeks so is no guarantee of a quick fix.

“My office has assisted in more than 30 cases where locals have faced unacceptable delays, and they won’t be the only ones.

“Far too many people in West Fife and elsewhere are having their holidays thrown into chaos and it’s long past time the Home Office got its act together.

“In the meantime, I’d advise anyone looking to travel abroad and who needs a new passport to send their application off as far in advance of travelling as they possibly can.

“And if they have any issues with their application, they should contact the Government’s passport adviceline.”

This can be reached by calling 0300 222 0000.