More than 1,000 Manchester airport workers have voluntarily signed up for ID cards.

All staff who work 'airside' – beyond airport security - are eligible to get a free card as part of the regional roll-out of the ID cards scheme.

So far more than 1,000 airport workers have been issued with cards since they were launched in November, and bosses say they are pleased with the response.

Normally a card would cost £30 but the fee is being waived for staff during an 18-month evaluation period, which is also taking place at London City airport.

Staff who work airside already have to undergo tough checks before being given security passes but Home Office bosses say the new cards – which use biometric data – improve safety even further and workers are being urged to sign up.

A new report published by the Home Office explains how the success of the 18-month review period will be measured.

It will aim to assess if ID cards streamline the airside pass regime and speed up the reference checking process for staff and employees.

The government intends to roll out the scheme to all airports by the end of 2012 but wants to examine the costs to avoid placing an extra 'burden' on the aviation industry.

The report reads: “By fixing a person’s biometric identity when they hold a voluntary identity card, the checking process is less vulnerable to identity fraud which, in turn, increases confidence in the individual’s trustworthiness.

A spokesman for the Home Office added: “The first 18 months of the scheme will be an evaluation period and during this period, the government and industry in partnership will assess the benefits and achievements of the service and consider how the process can be further developed for future phases.”

Anyone living in Greater Manchester can apply for a identity card, with the government intending to introduce the voluntary scheme nationally  by the end of 2012.