A transgender woman thrown out of a beauty contest because she was born a man has started a petition calling for such rules to be changed.

Jossy Yendall, from Gateshead, had made it through to the final of the UK competition Miss Galaxy.

But the 29-year-old was suddenly told by contest officials that she was not eligible to take part because they had not previously realised she was transgender.

The care home worker said she had written that she was transgender on her application form, but that it had been overlooked.

Jossy Yendall was was thrown out of a beauty contest because she was born a man. Credit: PA Wire

Ms Yendall, underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2015, was told by competition organisers that participants had to be born female to take part in the pageant.

I mentioned in my application that I'm a transgender female - it was the first thing I put so they knew it was there. Jossy Yendall

Jossy has now begun a petition calling for rules on participating in pageants to be changed. Credit: PA Wire

Ms Yendall, underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2015, was told by competition organisers that participants had to be born female to take part in the pageant.

She has now started a petition calling for transgender women to be allowed to compete in mainstream pageants.

"I started the petition to try and make a positive change", she said.

"I am not moaning and trying to kick up a fuss but someone needs to stand up and make a change."