Pudsey Bear woman 'denied a passport'

A woman who legally changed her name to Pudsey Bear in support of Children In Need has been denied a passport.

Eileen De Bont changed her name to that of the BBC charity mascot through the UK Deed Poll Service, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The 37-year-old receptionist's bank cards, tax forms and driver's license all show her name as Mrs Pudsey Bear, but the Identity & Passport Service (IPS) has refused to issue a new passport with this moniker.

She said: "I do not know what to do. It is utterly ridiculous. My old passport expired in October.

"They say they will only issue me with one in the name of Eileen De Bont, but that is not my name. I do not have any documents with that name on now."

An IPS spokesman said: "IPS is not questioning the validity of the deed poll. However, it is not prepared to issue a passport in a frivolous name which could compromise our mission statement 'safeguarding your identity'."

Mike Barratt of the UK Deed Poll Service said: "It is unnecessary interference from a public authority in Mrs Bear's private life that is in breach of her human rights."