Brit man refused passport due to 'too shiny' bald head
26 Jun 2008, 1707 Hrs

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London, June 26 (ANI): A British man was refused passport just because his bald head was too shiny.

Ian Down's new passport photos, taken at a photo-booth were rejected simply because his bald head was too shiny.

The 42 year old had 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?"

"I was shocked. I told them what it was but they said some countries might not let me in if they saw it," the Mirror quoted him as saying.

The dad of three was sent away to get new photos by the clerk in Victoria, Central London.

"I was using the Premier same day service so it really only took five minutes to get another picture taken. But it could cause delays if sending off for a new passport by post. And it was a little embarrassing," he added.

According to the new rules for the electronic reading of passports photographs must be identical, in colour and the subject must have a neutral facial expression, not smiling. (ANI)