BRITS will get their iconic dark blue passports back after Brexit, ministers announce today — in a stunning campaign victory for The Sun.

The Government has agreed to our demand to scrap the EU’s burgundy model, enforced on the nation from 1988.

7 The Home Office have revealed what the new blue passports will look like from October 2019

Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said: “One of the most iconic things about being British is having a British passport.”

From the first day of Brexit, March 29 2019, burgundy-coloured new passports will still be issued, but no longer with any EU insignia on them.

And five months later in October - when the current passport manufacturers’ contract expires - all new British passports will be issued in the dark blue colour that was once famous across the globe.

In a second victory for The Sun’s determined 17 month campaign, the Home Office has also decided to hand over blue passports early.

The UK passport is an expression of our independence and sovereignty – symbolising our citizenship of a proud, great nation. That's why we have announced that the iconic #bluepassport will return after we leave the European Union in 2019. https://t.co/pgQvrBIna5 — Theresa May (@theresa_may) December 22, 2017

7 The Sun's blue British passport campaign hit Westminster in August Credit: Nick Obank

At the moment, new passports can only be applied for once 10 year long current ones expire.

But in a special dispensation, any British citizen will be able to request to a new blue passport even if their old burgundy ones have many years left to run.

Revealing the decision, Mr Lewis told The Sun last night: “I recognise that for many people who voted in that referendum, they want to see things that are different.

“One of the most iconic things about being British is having a British passport.

7 Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said: 'One of the most iconic things about being British is having a British passport' Credit: ©Ray Collins.

“ So from the first day we leave, new passports will look different and within five months they will be very different, because they will be dark blue again.” The cabinet minister added: “We wanted to return to the dark blue passport because we recognise the string attachment people had to it”.

The Sun also reveals the design for the new blue passports’ front page today.

The Queen’s ‘Dieu et Mon Droit’ crest will sit on its front in gold.

7 From October 2019, all new British passports will be issued in the dark blue colour that was once famous across the globe

Inside pages will be adorned with patriotic background scenes from all four corners of UK.

The new blue passports will also be one of the most secure travel documents anywhere in the world.

A raft of cutting edge security features and technologies are being built into the design to guard against fraud and forgery.

They include polycarbonate pages, a double set of photos of the holder so they can be cross referenced, and a biometric microchip.

7 True blue Tory Michael Fabricant spoke of his joy at the news Credit: Getty - Contributor

But they will cost exactly the same as the burgundy variants, which at the moment is £72.50.

Campaigning MPs who joined The Sun’s cause told of their delight last night.

Tory Michael Fabricant said: “Our passports are iconic of our national identity.

“They were going to have to be updated anyway with new security enhancements and to remove ‘Citizen of the European Union’ after Brexit.

“I am delighted that we will be reverting back to our blue colour which was changed when we all became citizens of the EU.

7 Backbench MP Mark Pritchard expressed concern in the Commons yesterday that the new passports could be made in Berlin

“I have told De La Rue who make our passports when I met them some months ago that I want one as soon it becomes available! I will, of course pay the standard Passport Office fee!” Three companies are bidding for the contract to manufacture them now, with the winner to be announced in the new year.

But as the tender must still be held under EU rules, the passports could still be made abroad by a foreign company.

But another backbench Tory MP expressed concern in the Commons yesterday that the new passports could be made in Berlin.

Mark Pritchard told the Commons that he understood the new UK passport could be "designed and printed" in Germany from 2019.

7 'Old Blue' ... how it used to be Credit: Getty Images

The Wrekin MP, during business questions, called for a debate on the matter.

The "Old Blue" passport was introduced in 1920.

Six years later the League of Nations — forerunner of the United Nations — described the elegant British design as "perfection itself".

But in 1981 — eight years after we joined the EU — Brussels demanded all member states should have a "European" passport within four years.

Britain resisted strongly until 1988. We were the last of the then EU nations to go burgundy.

MOST READ IN POLITICS XMAS FEAR Uni students could be banned from going home for Christmas due to coronavirus REALITY CHEQUE Chancellor admits new £5bn furlough plan won't stop mass job losses furlough 2.0 Rishi announces furlough plan where workers get 77% pay for doing 1/3 hours ROAD TO WIGAN FEAR Stockport and Wigan could face fresh coronavirus lockdown rules in days Breaking SECOND WAVE Denmark, Slovakia and Iceland removed from UK safe travel list Latest NOT ON MY WATCH Rishi Sunak rejects claims Eat Out to Help Out caused coronavirus spike

The change led to howls of protest in Britain and cost taxpayers £1.5million because a new printing line had to be built. In 2000 the UK had to fight off a plan to remove the Queen's crest from the passport and possibly introduce the 12-star EU logo on its cover.

And in 2007 Brussels tried to make our passports "more European" by removing the phrase "Her Britannic Majesty".

All EU countries except Croatia now use a burgundy passport.

Forged passports to get migrants into the UK can be bought for as little as €500, ITV Tonight finds