NEWS that British passports will return to having blue covers after Brexit is music to my ears.

I will be delighted to get rid of the burgundy passport we have been lumbered with since 1988 as members of the European Union.

As well as the new one being more secure, which is obviously important, it will be a distinct and visual sign to show that we have regained our independence and can proudly hold our heads up as UK citizens.

While the Brexit talks are taking longer than we had hoped for and there is much still to be ironed out we are nevertheless heading towards the exit and today’s passport news is another step on that overdue journey.

I hope that in the New Year we continue to make good progress in negotiations and boldly go on our way to a prosperous future.

Paul Nuttall, MEP North West UKIP