New rules for passport photographs are proving farcical for young travellers. After we reported on the Holker children last month (too white) and young Toby Linton last week (too shiny), Sunday Times readers with similarly flawed infants have contacted us with their own accounts of passport surrealism.

Since September 12, passport applicants have been required to adhere to stringent regulations demanding full-face photographs with a neutral expression. Guidance notes for babies and children — now needing their own passport — state: “We appreciate that you may have difficulties meeting these guidelines. However, you must do your best to meet all the guidelines you can.”

Dan Pierce did his best, but it wasn’t good enough. “The natural set of my son’s mouth tends towards the grumpy; it’s just the way he is,” he said. “The passport office said he looked angry. He will be when he finds out he’s not going to Barbados for Christmas.”

Simon Willis spent three hours taking photos of his baby and had the results approved by the Post Office’s £7 Check & Send service. The UKPS rejected it. “My son’s head wasn’t straight enough,” said Willis. “If they don’t accept the next photo, then we will wait until our baby can hold his head straight, not blink, keep his tongue in and meet all the other requirements.”

Andrea Frederick’s daughter was also approved by the Check & Send service but rejected by UKPS because her mouth was open. “I was told the computer does not recognise teeth,” she said.

Rob Hindle had the same problem. Like many boys of a similar age, his son has prominent teeth. UKPS rejected his photos because he appeared to be smiling. “I sent a replacement photo. He had to pucker his lips to hide the teeth and his mouth looks like a cat’s arse — but that was accepted.”