A WELLINGTON woman, who has undergone a sex change, has spoken of her despair at the ‘abuse’ she has received from some members of staff at a local supermarket.

Miss Crystal Louise Carson, 53, who lives in a flat in Priory, said yesterday: “I go into Waitrose quite a bit and I’m fed up with being treated as some kind of freak. If I want to be a woman I don’t need anyone’s permission, It is what I want. It is my prerogative.”

Miss Carson, who lived in Yorkshire for a long time before moving to the Westcountry, has been a resident in Wellington for the past six years.

“I am repeatedly referred to as ‘Sir’ in the store and a lot of sniggering goes on,” she added. “A manager has said he is sorry but it still goes on. I’m sick of it.

“I have not lost my temper in the store – but it is very difficult. It is not my fault I was born with the wrong body.

“There is one particular member of staff at the store who I have had problems with. You are not allowed to call me ‘Sir’ by law.”

“It happens occasionally elsewhere in the town but it is mostly in Waitrose.”

Miss Carson had her last operation to complete her sex change two and a half years ago. She says she now has all the documents which class her as a woman in law.

A Waitrose spokesperson said: “We want everyone to feel welcome in our shops and are very sorry to hear about Crystal’s experience.

“Our branch manager would welcome the chance to speak to Crystal personally as it’s our absolute priority to ensure that all customers are treated with respect.”