Lancashire's Registration Service has today launched a nationality checking service for members of the community applying for British citizenship.

The new service is a partnership between the county council, the Government's Home Office and the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner. The service allows people to submit their application for British citizenship at the Lancashire's Register Office in Preston. If successful, the service will be rolled out and available at other register offices across the county.

It is hoped the service will help make the process easier for applicants and promote integration and citizenship in a bid to reflect the multi-cultural diversity and multi-racial society Lancashire has become.

As part of the service, the county council's Lancashire Registration Service will:

. Check an application is completed correctly . Ensure all accompanying documentation is present and correct . Certify all records as correct . Check all required supporting documents are attached to an application . Send an application safely and quickly directly to the Home Office

Superintendent Registrar for Lancashire County Council, Gill Greeson, said:

Applying for British citizenship can be difficult and can often take a long time. The advantage of using our service is that your original documents, including your passport, remain in your safekeeping and are not held by the Home Office for the duration of your application. She added: "The Home Office will return any applications that are not filled in properly or do not have the right supporting documents. Nine out of ten applications that have gone through the nationality checking service do not need any more information from you."

All nationality checking advisors have been trained and registered with the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner.

To book an appointment or for information on any of its services, please contact the Lancashire Registration Service on 0845 053 0021 or visit www.lancashire.gov.uk . The county council has also produced a leaflet which is available in its local register offices.

Further information and advice on obtaining a British citizenship is available on the Home Office website www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk or telephone their helpline on 0845 010 5200.