About 450 workers from the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) at the Identity and Passports Service offices in Aragon Court, Northminster Road, have joined 3,000 others from 68 offices across the country to take part in the action.

In Peterborough, five members of staff were running a picket line this morning outside the city offices.

PCS representative at the picket line, Peter Heinrich, said: "We are not taking this strike lightly, this is the first time we have carried out a three-day strike in 20 years.

"The next three days will see passport workers striking not just because of pay but because we have not been consulted over possible redundancies later this year.

"We have had support from Unison, the Post Office and the fire service and about 80 to 90 per cent of our members, which amount to around 450 of the 600 workers at the passport office, are striking."

Peterborough Trade Union vice president, Angus Ellis, added: "There have been two weeks of disputes across the city at the town hall, with refuse collectors, land registry and now the passport office.

"There are lots of issues effecting workers today including job cuts and there are also concerns over pay, which is below today's inflation."

The protest comes in the wake of a 2.5 per cent pay deal, which the union says has not been awarded to all staff, with longest-serving employees receiving no pay rise for the fifth year running.

The closure of the Glasgow passport office and the threat to a further unnamed three offices is also said to be fuelling the anger over the dispute.

The stoppage, which comes at the start of the school holidays, has sparked fears that holidaymakers needing passports quickly may have to miss their holiday.

And a special service that allows people to collect documents from passport offices in one day will not be available during the strike.

Travellers waiting for ordinary passport applications to be processed will also face delays.

One couple spoken to by The Evening Telegraph had travelled all the way from Newcastle to Peterborough to collect their passports. However, the pair, who did not want to be named, were given an emergency appointment soon after they arrived.

An Identity and Passports Service (IPS) spokesman said IPS would strive to maintain a service to the public and keep any inconvenience to a minimum during the strikes.

He said: "We believe that the pay deal was fair for staff while keeping in line with Treasury guidelines."

All regional office counters, including Peterborough, will issue passports for those in emergency situations or with urgent needs.

Anyone who has booked for premium services or an interview will also have their appointments honoured.

For more information, call the passport advice line on 0870 521 0410.