Maldon's MP has been saving the holidays of frantic holidaymakers caught in the passport backlog.

John Whittingdale has dealt with a number of enquiries from worried constituents in danger of missing their trips abroad.

One of them was Charlotte Reeder, 24, who is going to Amsterdam next month. The trip was a birthday gift for her partner.

Miss Reeder, of St Giles Crescent, Maldon, applied online to renew her passport on May 20 but worried about the lack of progress, contacted Mr Whittingdale's office.

It arrived within days of staff chasing it up.

“I'm very glad I decided to email them, I now have my passport and can relax and look forward to my holiday," she said.