Councillor undergoes sex change to live as a woman at 65

Housing manager Jane Chaplin was previously David, but said she had always known she wanted to live life as a woman despite being married for many years.

Now Jane, who works for Cannock Chase Council as a private sector housing manager and sits on Wellington town council in Shropshire, said: "I have always known that I wanted to go this way, but life gets in the way.

"But I have known for many years that I have wanted to go in this direction and transition, which means you follow the process that takes you from one gender to another.

"My transition to become a woman is a decision taken across the board. People are being very supportive, certainly the town council, my employer, friends and relatives.

"My transition is ongoing but now is the time to live as Jane. So far I have been very lucky and had lots of support from a wide range of people, including the Wolverhampton charity Gender Matters. My journey is good – it is freeing and I can truly be myself."

Councillor Chaplin had leave of absence from the council for eight months following the death of his 65-year-old wife, Rosemary, in May 2012.