A transgender woman is demanding an apology and £2,500 in compensation after claiming she was called 'sir' by Southern Rail staff.

Katie Yeomans, 66, said she needed pills to sleep after she was called 'sir' twice while talking to staff. Once when she was asking a question, and again two weeks later when she asked for a platform number.

She is demanding an apology, training for Southern Rail's staff, and compensation.

The train company said it has looked into the incident 'thoroughly' and disputes the claims.

Katie Yeomans, 66, said she needed pills to sleep after being called 'sir' twice by Southern Rail staff over two weeks. Once when she asked them a question, and again when she asked for a train's platform number

Miss Yeomans told The Brighton Argus: 'It is diabolical.

'I care because I spent five years transitioning and I have all of my legal documentation.

'So whether people like it or not I am a woman and I expect to be treated as a woman.

'I don’t expect to be treated as a man.'

She is upset that despite having gender reassignment surgery almost two years ago, she says she was called 'sir' twice by Southern Rail staff.

On one occasion, she alleges that when trying to speak to a staff member she was told to 'take a seat, sir'.

On another occasion, about two weeks later, she claims that when asking a staff member what platform the Brighton train was on, she was told 'platform number one, sir'.

Katie began transitioning more than four years ago after realising she was transgender at a fancy dress party

She started taking women's hormones in May 2015 to grow breasts and slow her hair growth, got a female birth certificate in 2016, and the next year had a sex change operation. She said she believes it is her duty to stand up for other trans women

Miss Yeomans said: 'I find it insulting how people will call me sir and find that acceptable.

'As you can see from photos, I always present myself as very female.

'This is not the first time I have suffered this type of discrimination.

'Most companies have apologised and promised to improve things to ensure it never happens again.'

Miss Yeomans began transitioning after realising she was transgender at a fancy dress party in 2014, aged 61.

She started taking women’s hormones in May 2015 which helped her to grow breasts and slow her hair growth.

In 2016, she was given a female birth certificate and had her sex change operation the following year.

A Southern Rail spokesman said they have looked into the case 'thoroughly' and dispute the claims. 'We promote diversity within the organisation and across the rail industry', they said. (Pictured) Brighton train station

She said she believes it is her duty to stand up for other trans women.

'The resolution I’m looking for is an apology.

'I also want reassurance that their equality and diversity training is up to scratch.

'In view of stress and anxiety this case has caused me, I am seeking compensation.'

The rail ombudsman can get up to £2,500 in damages.

A Southern Rail spokesman said: 'We have looked into this thoroughly and dispute what has been claimed.

'However with investigations ongoing it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on this particular case.

'We promote diversity within the organisation and across the rail industry.

'We have a popular, active LGBTQ+ community at Southern and Govia Thameslink Railway and are vocal champions of employees who identify as such, celebrating them both internally and in the media.'