MORE than 200 people in Blackburn have already signed up for controversial national identity cards, which were officially launched in the town this morning.

After a pilot project in Greater Manchester and parts of London the cards, which can be used as an alternative to a passport, are now available to people in Lancashire.

The cards have been championed by Jack Straw and the Labour government but initial plans to make the cards compulsory have now been dropped.

Councillor Suleman Khonat became the first person to enrol his fingerprint biometrics for the card at Blackburn’s Identity and Passport Office in Ainsworth Street today.

He is one of 200 people who live or work in Blackburn who have already booked an appointment to enrol for a card.

The £30 cards can be used as a proof of age and identity.

They can also be used to travel around Europe in place of a passport.

Coun Khonat said: “I’m delighted that people in Blackburn can now enrol for an Identity Card in the town centre.

“The card is easy to carry, costs £30, and helps protect the owner from identity theft and fraud. Not only that, it will enable the holder to travel in Europe.”

The Home Office minister responsible for identity cards, Meg Hillier, said: “We have always said that after the initial roll-out to residents of Greater Manchester we would seek to expand the scheme across the North West as soon as possible.

“This exciting announcement is the next stage in offering voluntary identity cards to everyone living in the UK.

“Identity cards are already proving themselves extremely useful in daily life, from opening a bank account to entering a nightclub, and for travel to Europe.”

Anyone who lives or works in the town and holds a current or recently expired British passport can apply for a card.

The cards have been controversial because of the huge cost to the government and data issues as well as fears they could be made compulsory for everyone.

People have also questioned the need for the cards when people can use passports.

For more information or make an appointment for an identity card call 0300 330 0000.

The cards will be rolled out across the rest of the county and the country later this year.