TRANSSEXUAL couples in Burnley and Rossendale are inquiring about adoption and fostering after being inspired by a Coronation Street storyline, it was revealed today

On TV the Street's Roy and Hayley Cropper are going through the process of being approved to adopt.

And Henry Metcalfe, social services family placement manager for Burnley and Rossendale, said today: "In my last week working in Blackburn I had an inquiry from a transsexual couple and in the first three days in the job in Burnley I had an inquiry from a similar transsexual couple.

"I can only believe the inquiries were prompted by the Hayley and Roy story line."

Mr Metcalfe worked in Blackburn for 14 years, but this week started work in Burnley and tonight will be among the team at an adoption open evening at Burnley Town Hall from 7.30pm for any parents or adults considering adoption or fostering.

He said: "One aspect the soap hasn't gone into yet is that because Roy and Hayley can't legally marry they cannot adopt as a couple, one will have to adopt while the other must obtain a residency order, they can't be on an equal legal footing, the same would happen with an adoption by a gay couple."

He said anyone who applies to adopt or foster is treated on an equal footing.