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A teenager who had the world’s earliest sex change at just 16 has moved a step closer to becoming the new Miss England.

Jackie Green, now 18, has clinched the public vote and will be the first transgender contestant to reach the semi-finals of the national pageant.

Jackie, who was asked to enter the beauty contest by scouts who knew nothing about her sex swap past, said: “I’m ecstatic to get through. I never expected it.

“It’s been lovely to see the support from everyone and I have had so many people contacting me to say they hope I win. I have come this far and now I am in it to win it.

“Lots of people have been in touch and it makes me blush to think I have inspired others. I never thought I would be able to inspire anyone.”

(Image: Ross Parry)

Born Jack, she had the seven-hour gender reassignment operation – which is not performed on under-18s in the UK – in Thailand on her 16th birthday.

Her mum Susie remortgaged her house to pay £28,000 for treatment and flights after her daughter attempted suicide five times.

Susie, 43, said: “I’m really proud of her. She’s been through an awful lot but she has chosen to put herself out there and at risk.

“There is a lot of prejudice out there but she is trying to make people understand this isn’t a choice and it can be OK.”

(Image: Rex Features)

She explained how Jack – the eldest of four boys – liked to play with Barbie dolls and put jumpers on his head to feel like long hair.

Susie, from Leeds, had said previously: “It wasn’t just the toys she played with – it was as much as the way she played with them.

"She once said to me, ‘Mummy, God made a mistake, I have a girl’s brain in a boy’s body.’”

When Jackie started primary school she began to get bullied and the abuse got worse when she transferred to secondary school at 11.

Five suicide attempts followed and at one point Jack threatened to cut off her own genitals with a knife.

Susie decided to do some research and eventually flew the 12-year-old to a hospital in Boston, US, where Jack underwent psychological tests.

He was then prescribed puberty blockers and female hormones which prevented male physical characteristics such as the Adam’s apple in favour of female traits such as breasts and hips.

The semi-finals of the Miss England competition take place on May 30.

The final is due to take place at the end of June.