A transgender teenager who is transitioning to become a woman has told how Caitlyn Jenner inspired her to embrace her true identity.

Ellie Wilkinson, from Lincoln, now 17, was born a boy named Mitch, but grew up knowing she was different to those around her.

She reveals how 'something just clicked' when she watched the then Bruce Jenner's journey towards becoming a woman on the reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and said it gave her the courage to be honest about who she was.

Business administration apprentice Ellie, who is set to start hormone therapy in June ahead of undergoing surgery in October once she's turned 18, says she felt a 'connection' with the famous family, and told how people regularly compare her to Caitlyn's daughter Kylie because of her 'huge lips' and colourful wigs.

Ellie Wilkinson (above), from Lincoln, was born a boy but knew she wasn't like others around her growing up

Ellie has spent the last year living as a woman after coming out to her parents when she was 15.

She said: 'Ever since I was very small, I knew something wasn't right - but I couldn't put my finger on it.

'As I got older, I started to realise I was different and I understood the difference between genders.

'That's when I realised I wasn't a boy.'

Ellie (pictured as Mitch before she made her transition) would always want to play with dolls and hang out with girls

She says she made the decision to reveal her true identity as a female after watching an episode of the Kardashians (pictured above is Khloe Kardashian on her phone)

She says she saw other boys her age playing football but she preferred to sit inside with the girls and play with Barbies and dolls.

Ellie says: 'I never had a Barbie of my own, but I used to play with my older sister's all the time.

'My mum often asked me as I was growing up if I wanted to be a girl, but I always said no.

'One day, I decided I didn't want to lie anymore.'

Ellie came out to her parents in May 2015, and they took her to see her GP and a therapist.

After going to a gender clinic, she started transitioning at the end of 2015 and dressing as a girl at home.

Eventually, she came out to her classmates and is waiting until she turns 18 so that she can start the surgery process.

Ellie, who has a 20-year-old sister as well as two older half siblings aged 31 and 32, says: 'My mum and dad have been so supportive - I really couldn't wish for a better family.

Ellie watched an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians which featured Bruce Jenner's (pictured left with Kris Jenner) transition to Caitlyn (right)

Ellie (pictured as Mitch) says her mother wasn't surprised at all but it has taken her father a little longer to understand it

'My mum wasn't surprised at all - I think she'd known for a long time, and we love going shopping together now.

'It was a bit harder for my dad - he was in the army and he's very traditional, and I don't think he understood it at first.

'But since he's started learning more he's been really supportive.

'I think he's enjoying having another daughter, and now everyone understands me more I think it's brought the family closer together.'

Ellie says becoming a woman has made her realise who her true friends are and admits that it was a 'tough process' coming out at school.

She explains: 'One Friday a letter was sent home saying a transgender Year 11 would be coming in on Monday - the letter didn't say who, but everyone knew it was me.

'When I walked in on the Monday as a girl, I was prepared for the worst.

'Some of the kids did think it would be funny to start picking on me.

Ellie says becoming a woman has made her realise who her true friends are and admits that it was a 'tough process' coming out at school

Ellie was badly bullied at school, with boys shouting her former name and asking about her genitals

'After GCSEs I went to college, but I soon dropped out because I was bullied so badly.

'People would call me my old name, shout about me being a man, ask about my genitals.

'At one time I had 20 lads surrounding me shouting abuse, and it gave me really bad anxiety.

'After that, I started to get quite depressed.'

Ellie's mother had learned from a friend about Bruce Jenner's transformation to Caitlyn, and told Ellie about an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians that featured Caitlyn's change.

After watching it, Ellie become hooked on the reality TV sensation.

She says: 'As soon as I watched the Kardashians, it was like something just clicked.

Ellie (pictured as Mitch with friends) is waiting until she turns 18 so that she can start the surgery process

'I felt a connection with them, and watching Caitlyn going through what I was going through helped as well.

'After a couple of episodes, I was completely hooked on them.

'They're all so different and they've got such entertaining personalities, I think they're great.

'I've definitely taken a lot of inspiration from the Kardashians with my make-up - they've very fashionable women and I would watch them to help define my own style.

'I have huge lips, and people are always comparing them to Kylie Jenner's.

'I use a wig for my hair, and I love to experiment with different colours and styles like Kylie does.'