A fully functional test version of www.epassportphoto.com launched on November 1.

The website allows you to upload your photos saved on computer before taking you on to a second stage where you can crop the image very simply. It is then automatically resized to the exact requirements.

The user can print the photos on their own high quality photographic paper, take it on disk to a local photo store, or follow links to online photo printing services that will provide hard copies for free as part of the signup offer.

However, the UK Passport Service spokesman issued a warning about the use of passport photo websites, stating that the public should be "aware of a number of difficulties they could encounter" because some website processes "deform the original photo" so runs the risk of "failing to be acceptable to facial recognition systems". Furthermore, applicants are "providing their picture to an unknown organization who could then use that image for ulterior purposes", and with many of the sites being based overseas data protection laws may not apply.