The video will start in 8 Cancel

News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The BBC has come under fire for a sex-change programme aimed at children as young as six.

Just A Girl, which is available on the CBBC website, features a transgender storyline about a schoolboy who takes sex-change drugs.

It depicts an 11-year-old’s struggle to get hormones that stunt puberty, making it easier to have sex-change surgery later in life.

Angry parents have taken to Mumsnet to complain about the programme, while Tory MP Peter Bone describes the show as "completely inappropriate".

(Image: CBBC)

He said: "It beggars belief that the BBC is making this programme freely available to children as young as six. I entirely share the anger of parents who just want to let children be children."

Fellow Tory MP Julian Brazier shared his concern, saying: "This programme is very disappointing and inappropriate. Children are very impressionable and this is going to confuse and worry them."

Family campaigners and child psychotherapists have also voiced their anger, saying the show could confuse children.

(Image: PA)

Dr Dilys Daws told the Mail on Sunday the BBC was irresponsible to feature the "extreme" step of gender change for six-year-olds.

But Dr Polly Carmichael, a clinical psychologist specialising in transgender children, told the Mail raising awareness is a positive step towards challenging stigma and discrimination.

"Programmes like Just A Girl can contribute to a healthy and informed public discussion," she said.

Just A Girl tells the story of a child called Amy who dresses as a girl, but reveals she was born a boy called Ben and has started using puberty-halting drugs.

Amy also has a friend Josh, a boy who wants to be recognised as a girl.

She tells Josh she is on hormone blockers , saying she finally got them "once they realised I was trans for real".

A spokesman for the BBC said: "CBBC aims to reflect true life, providing content that mirrors the lives of as many UK children as possible."