Martin Lewis has a warning for all British passport holders

The the sun shining, temperatures soaring and the First Minister's announcement that lockdown will soon be easing, many of us are in a holiday mood.

Travel restrictions of course remain in place for the time being but but flight operators have started to take off from airports in the UK as rules begin to lift in some countries.

But if you are planning on a holiday, Martin Lewis has a word of warning - and says that your passport could stop you from flying, reports the Mirror.

The Money Saving Expert explained that the Passport Office has said that renewing is taking longer than the usual three weeks in his latest email to shoppers.

Many may be unable to go on holiday even as restrictions are listed due to the backlog - some people have reportedly waited as long as three months to receive a new passport.

A woman called Tracy emailed Martin to complain: "Been waiting 13wks. Now looks like our holiday will have to be cancelled, costing us £1,000s."

Better check before you book anything (Getty)

The financial guru said: "Passport at or nearing expiry? Renew ASAP.

"The Passport Office is warning, understandably, that renewing is taking longer than the usual three weeks.

"We're hearing reports that at the extreme, some are taking three months or more, while fast-track services and face-to-face appointments are suspended.

"So if you've a trip planned later this summer sort it quickly."

He added that not having a passport and being unable to travel "isn't covered on most travel insurance policies".

So if you are planning a trip and you need to renew your passport, do it sooner rather than later.

A Home Office spokesperson told  Manchester Evening News :  " Her Majesty’s Passport Office continues to process standard passport applications, and you can continue to apply online. However it will take longer than usual to receive your passport as a result of changed working practices designed to keep both staff and customers safe.

"We would encourage those who can to apply at a later date and, as is always the case, we strongly advise not to book travel without a valid passport."