Many people are proud that, although they carry British passports, the documents specify they are from the Isle of Man.

However, that is under threat as pressure grows to introduce biometric passports.

The US is leading the call and, from October next year, it will require visitors to hold passports which contain finger print and eye iris data. It is part of the continuing war against terrorism and the battle to stem illegal immigration.

The UK looks set to adopt similar measures. If that happens it could mean anyone from the Isle of Man would have to spend long periods of time clearing passport control or be forced to apply for a visa ahead of trips to places like America.

Chief Minister Donald Gelling admitted the government is having to examine the issue closely. He said not adopting biometric passports could cause massive inconvenience for Isle of Man travellers.

However, moving to the new technology is not an easy choice.

The cheapest option is to have all passports issued by the UK, which means documents may no longer carry details about the Isle of Man.

The other option is to invest in the technology and administration – at a potentially huge cost – and continue issuing our own passports, including Manx details.

Mr Gelling said the situation is being closely examined.

'We will have to consider this very carefully, we have got to consider what we do and make a decision very soon,' he said.

Mr Gelling said retaining the Island's identity in the new-look passports may be the way forward, but the cost of equipment to record and process biometric data could be prohibitively expensive.

'We are hoping at this time to work with the likes of Jersey and Guernsey because they will have to make similar decisions and I think the situation will be similar to ourselves,' he said.

'There may be a way to share a lot of the initial costs between the three islands rather than taking it all on ourselves.

'It is certainly something we have got to think about.'