CAMPAIGNERS demanding equal rights for transsexuals claimed a landmark victory yesterday when two women who were born male won their case in the European Court of Human Rights.

Former bus driver Christine Goodwin and a 47-year-old woman who has not been named have won backing in their battle to gain legal recognition as women.

The victory comes only weeks after Paula Ryder, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham failed in her bid to have her birth certificate altered to recognise the fact she was now living as a woman.

Miss Ryder, who has vowed to carry on with her fight, said yesterday that she was delighted for Miss Goodwin, 65, and the second woman, who was identified as I.

She said: "I think it's good news but it will make no difference until the British Government does something about changing the 1953 Register of Births Act.

"Christine Goodwin still won't be able to get married, it is impossible under British law. The birth certificate says she is still registered as a man and you need to present that when you get married.

"This country does not recognise marriages between two people of the same sex."

A panel of judges at the European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, ruled unanimously that the UK's failure to recognise Miss Goodwin's and I's new identities in law breached their rights to respect for private life and their right to marry under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Miss Goodwin, who has lived full time as a woman since 1984 and had irreversible gender reassignment surgery in 1990, was awarded almost £25,000 costs and expenses.

Miss Goodwin's solicitor, Robin Lewis, said: "This victory will be seen as a milestone on the road to change.

"This judgement will require the Government to change the law to allow a transsexual to marry a partner of the gender they were previously."