I HAVE been considering a trip to Europe to visit friends and, as with all holiday planning, the first step is to check my passport will be valid.

This year it is particularly complicated by our approaching withdrawal from the EU.

There are now two tests to complete. Firstly there must be six months validity from the date of your anticipated arrival.

Secondly, and less well publicised, your passport must not be more than 10 years old on your projected date of arrival.

Many people renew their passports early and have benefited from up to nine months being added to the new passport from the unexpired old passport.

After we leave the EU the correct expiry date of your passport will be the 10th anniversary of its issuance in many EU countries.

For peace of mind I have used the passport checker tool at https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/check-a-passport

ALISTAIR WATSON