ID cards in Greater Manchester

Controversial: People in Greater Manchester were the first in the country to have access to ID cards.

Home Office figures show that there are only around 2,700 national identity cards in Greater Manchester and the North West.

The cards were made available to Greater Manchester residents in November last year but are not compulsory for residents.

Opposition groups say that the controversial ID card goes against civil rights and that they will not improve security.

The card costs £30 and carries two fingerprints and a photograph of the holder contained on a chip, which is linked to a national identity register.