Man refused passport because bald head is too shiny

A dad of three had his new passport photos rejected - because his bald head was too shiny.

Ian Down, 42, got the pictures taken at a photo-booth and handed them over with his documents at a passport office.

But a clerk at the Passport Service looked at the flash reflecting off Ian's head and asked: "What's that mark?"

Ian said: "I was shocked. I told them what it was but they said some countries might not let me in if they saw it."

Ian was sent away to get some new photos by the clerk in Victoria, Central London. The new ones also had a bit of glare from the flash but not enough to cause a problem.

Strict new rules have been introduced for the electronic reading of passports. Photographs must be identical, in colour and the subject must have a neutral facial expression, not smiling.