IMMIGRATION officers at Manchester Airport are wearing new uniforms in a high-profile bid to deter people from attempting to enter Britain illegally.

Government officials say the move will make it clear to people arriving in the terminals that they are crossing a national border.

The dark blue suits and light blue shirts will be worn by officers at all British airports.

New `border' signs have also been put in place as part of the move by the Border and Immigration Agency, which was launched in April.

Officers at passport checks are also expected to make more use of technology such as the airport's Iris Recognition Immigration System, in a bid to cut queues at passport control.

The eye-scanning system photographs a passenger's iris patterns and stores the data with their passport details.

A new director, Gill Mortlock, was appointed in April to help make the immigration system in the north west more accountable.

The agency aims to cut waiting times on asylum cases and ensure that people whose appeals are turned down leave the country.

Home office minister Tony McNulty said highly visible staff will improve confidence in the immigration system.

The uniforms were unveiled at Gatwick Airport in August.

Lin Homer, chief executive of the new agency, visited Manchester Airport to talk to staff as part of a national tour of immigration units earlier this year.

She told the M.E.N. during her visit: "We want to ensure the border is not only effective, but also more visible, so people have a really strong sense that they are crossing a border.

"There will be more visible signage and staff in uniforms so that people arriving at the airport know they are going to have an authoritative check, where we will be asking them questions about their right to enter the country."

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