Ananova:

A vicar who has become the first serving Church of England priest to undergo a sex change operation intends to return to the pulpit next month.

The Rev Carol Stone, 46, will return to her parish duties and take her first service at St Philip's Church, Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wilts on Advent Sunday, December 3.

In June, as the Rev Peter Stone, she announced her intention to become a woman with the full blessing of the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev Barry Rogerson.

At the time, she said she had wanted to be female since she was young and prayed every night she would wake up as a girl.

A spokesman for the bishop said that Ms Stone, who is divorced and has a teenage daughter, did not want to comment but was planning to hold a press conference next Tuesday when she will be happy to answer questions.