A TRANSSEXUAL died after taking an overdose of sleeping pills while battling against her "inner demons" following a sex change operation.

Today the head of a national help group today called for more support for people like Victoria Close, in a bid to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

And she said that, despite the high profile of Coronation Street character Hayley Cropper, played by East Lancashire actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, the issue was still taboo in some areas.

Victoria , 32, was discovered by partner Geoffrey Dawson in the bath at the couple's home in Belgrave Street, Rising Bridge on June 27 last year.

An inquest heard Miss Close, who used to be known as Tony, had a sex change in 1998 but had been confused about her identity.

In a statement to the hearing, Mr Dawson, a security guard, said he had been concerned about his partner after she began losing weight.

He said he had gone to work at about 8.30pm on June 26 leaving Miss Close at home.

When he returned from work at about 7.10am the following day he was unable to get in to the house and was forced to break in, he added. He discovered Miss Close on her side in the bath with a bottle of sleeping pills nearby.

East Lancashire coroner, Richard Taylor, said a diary written by the woman had shown somebody struggling with inner doubts but he could not be sure Miss Close had intended to take her own life.

He added: "I get the impression this was somebody who was uncertain of their identity and who had certain inner demons, but I do not get a picture of somebody who was intent on taking their own life."

A post mortem examination showed she died as a result of an overdose of sleeping pills. An open verdict was recorded.

Following the hearing, Stacey Novak, director of the Essex-based national transsexual support group, Transliving, said help was available for people having doubts about their identity but more support was needed.

Stacey, who is not a transsexual but provides free counselling, said: "We can only give support to the people who ask for it but this case shows it would help if more was available.

"We give advice and talk things through with people thinking about having the operation and how it will affect them, how to go about it and the pitfalls.

"If transsexuals do feel like they have made a mistake or are uncertain about their identity there are lots of avenues to take, such as going back to their doctor and being referred back to their gender identity clinic and talking to a psychiatrist."

She said Coronation Street's portrayal of sex-swap character Hayley Cropper had helped raise awareness and added: "It has helped make it easier for people to talk about it. It is still a taboo subject in some areas but not as much as it has been."

Church actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Hayley (formerly Harold Patterson), believes soaps should start debates.

In a recent interview, Julie said: "I knew the role would create discussion. But I feel it was was sensitively handled."