Shocked credit card staff have hit out at a decision to allow a cross-dressing man to use the women's loo.

First Data Resources workers in Basildon said transsexual Clive Dawson should stick to the disabled toilets after female colleagues complained about the controversial ruling.

Computer analyst Clive, 31, calls himself Clare and turns up for work wearing both men's and women's clothing.

However, he is not believed to have yet had the operation that will make him a fully-fledged woman.

The Basildon-based company sent out a memo two weeks ago to its 2,000 staff ruling Clive could use the women's toilets and should be called Clare.

One worker, who did not want to be named, said the decision had stunned staff.

He said: "As far as we are concerned it's live and let live and we are OK with him. People do not mind the way he is.

"But letting him use the ladies' toilet is a little much. That's what's caused the problems.

"Nobody uses the disabled toilets on his floor and everyone thinks he should use them."

Workers said Clive, who works with his girlfriend, had been at the Christopher Martin Road firm for three years but only donned dresses about a year ago.

It is understood bosses initially refused to intervene but eventually asked him to stick to either tights or trousers after he arrived for work in both.

The worker added: "He turns up as he pleases. He used to come in as a man and then he would come in as a woman.

"Finally, the company said he had to come in one way or another."

The company issued the ruling under the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999, which forces companies to give equal rights to transsexuals.

Clive, who lives in Southend, was not available to comment when the Echo tried to contact him.

FDR also declined to comment when contacted.

In the doghouse - cross-dresser Clive

Scene of loo controversy - First Data Resources

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.