WORCESTER could become the cross-dressing capital of the Midlands after an appeal for support for a centre for transsexuals and transvestites received overwhelming support.

Stephanie Nickles, a transgender herself, is looking to open a drop-in centre in the city centre where people could dress up and relax amid like-minded friends.

As soon as the Evening News highlighted details of her plans, she began to receive e-mails and calls from scores of transsexuals and wives of men who like to cross-dress, wanting to know when it will open.

"The response to the Evening News article was overwhelming and proved there is a great need for this sort of centre in Worcester," said the 33-year-old from Warndon.

"I have had dozens of e-mails from wives, professionals, people young and old, who have said they, or someone they know, would benefit from the centre.

"And they haven't been from just Worcestershire - I have had letters from Coventry and Cheltenham to.

Miss Nickles had been hopeful of funding the project through some grants, but all her applications have since fallen through.

She is now appealing for individuals and businesses to help her raise the £30,000 needed for the initiative.

"I am struggling to find the finances to open the centre and desperately need help from the public," she added.

"But at the moment it is all looking very bleak as I cannot get the money to proceed with it all."

The centre - which would be called Vista Rose Transformations - would offer transsexuals and transvestites the chance to dress up in clothes of the opposite sex, with garments ranging from revealing underwear to formal wear.

It would also act as an advice and guidance centre.

"Vista Rose Transformations would give people the chance to be themselves without being ridiculed or bullied," added Miss Nickles, who at present runs the support group TransWorcester.

"I have lived in Worcester for six years and know that it can be sometimes seen as not a welcoming place for people like myself. "There are a lot of transsexuals and transvestites in Worcester and I want to do something to help them. The only problem is I need others to help, too, in a financial way."

Miss Nickles would also like to hear from companies able to donate end of line ranges of clothes.

For more information, or to support Vista Rose Transformations, e-mail Stephanie Nickles at stephanie@transworcestershire.wanadoo.co.uk