Social services bosses have allowed an Essex couple to foster four children - even though the "father" used to be a woman.

The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were originally looking after the children - aged between seven and 11 - for a friend who was jailed two years ago for assault.

Social workers allowed the couple, who used to live together as two women before one had an operation to remove her breasts, to continue looking after the three boys and their sister despite a custody battle with their released mother.

The natural mother was enraged by the decision and has pledged to continue to fight to get them back.

A social services manager, who must remain anonymous to protect the identity of the children, said the youngsters had been cared for by the couple since they were young by private arrangement with the natural mother.

He said: "The courts agreed to the placement of children with the foster carers, with the full agreement and approval of the children's independent representative.

"The council made the recommendation to court because it was in the best interests of the children, taking into account all of the factors.

"If the children's mother is unhappy with the current arrangement, she has the right to return to court and apply for the arrangements to be changed."

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