Ananova:

A Church of England vicar is set to return to parish duties at the weekend after a sex change operation.

Parishioners at St Philips Church in Upper Stratton, Swindon, will attend a service led by the Rev Carol Stone on Sunday after four years of her teachings as the Rev Peter Stone.

Speaking at a press conference, Ms Stone, 46, spoke of her relief at having the operation. Dressed in a smart blue skirt suit with black high heels, a white top and a patterned silk scarf, she said: "I only have two vocations in my whole life. They are to be a priest and to be a woman."

She added: "My last prayer at night was that I'd wake up a girl. My first reaction after it all was 'thank goodness'. Before, there was a deep pool of suffering and sadness but now I feel that whole period of my life is finished with.

"My agenda now is to return to ministry and serve the people of Stratton. Nobody goes into this radical change of lifestyle and surgery lightly. I am just thrilled to be me.

"I have a wonderful congregation. They are the best congregation in the world. I am very grateful - they are a lovely set of people."

Ms Stone said she had received support from both her family and colleagues but admitted that her decision to have the operation was bound to raise questions in some quarters.

The minister would not reveal whether she was in a relationship at the moment but said she had already had a series of photographs taken for a new passport and driving licence.

She said: "There are many issues the church needs to address. I won't be the first or last person who raises questions about us as human beings.

"Something like this is bound to cause a difference in response from people. There will be those who find it unacceptable. I've never blamed God but I always hoped that something might happen to make a difference.

"As a priest you always have to be prepared for people to come and go. There will obviously be those people who won't come with me and they will be sorely missed but there will always be a place for them at St Philips. "