Credit: SWNS

Britain's first openly transgender prison officer says returning to work was 'scarier than getting a plane to Iraq' - but the reaction from colleagues and inmates 'saved his life'.

Jaxon Feeley, who was born as Jessica, came out to his family and friends last year but feared returning to work after beginning his transition.

He took time off work last October, just before he came out as trans, and returned three months later as Jaxon.

Ex-squaddie Jaxon, 28, said returning to work was a scarier prospect than being on a plane flying to Iraq.