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The Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has revealed that every week 75,000 people miss out on getting a cheaper passport.

Financial guru and savvy shopper, Martin has moved to alert people of the easiest way to save money when renewing or applying for a new passport.

Since March this year it is cheaper to make an application online than in the post, but the Money Saving Expert has obtained data that reveals around 75,000 miss out on the deal each week.

The cheapest way to apply for or renew a passport is online via the Gov.uk website, making it £9.50 cheaper.

A adult postal application costs £85, but if you apply online it is £75.50 and a child application is £58.50 or £49 online.

(Image: Katie Collins/PA Wire)

Key things to look out for when applying or renewing a passport

DO NOT just Google 'passport renewal' - there are sites that look official and will try and charge you on top of you passport fee. Only use the Gov.uk website.

Some countries won't allow you in, even with a valid passport. This is because UK passport last for 10 years, but some countries refuse entry if you have less than six months left. Check before you book.

Steve Nowottny, news and features editor at MoneySavingExpert.com , said: "These figures suggest that the message about March's price increases hasn't yet got through. While some may be choosing to apply by post so they can use Check & Send, it's likely many more simply don't know they're paying more than they need to.

"The Home Office should do all it can to help those who are unnecessarily overpaying to apply online."