The UK has issued its first biometric passport in line with international standards, the government announced today.

The scheme will be rolled out gradually over the next few months and by August all passport renewals will be replaced by new-style documents which include an electronic chip holding a facial biometric.

More than 40 countries across the world are introducing biometric passports to comply with both the International Civil Aviation Organisation deadline in October and the US visa waiver scheme.

The new passports will also help fight fraud, says the government.

'ePassports are the first step in secure biometric identity documentation,' said Home Office minister Andy Burnham.

'Not only will they improve the integrity and security of British passports, they will also help in the detection of forged or manipulated documents while confirming the identity of the individual.

'Around the world, more and more countries are taking action to ensure the security of their travel documents and we are making every effort to ensure the UK is leading the way,' he said.

Facial recognition biometrics map key features such as the distances between eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The information can then be digitally coded and stores on a chip.