EYEBROWS were raised in a Westcountry courthouse yesterday when a man turned up for a divorce settlement wearing a dress, wig and stockings.

Paul Cuthbert, 62, said he felt dressing as a woman would help him get a fairer hearing at Taunton County Court in Somerset.

Mr Cuthbert, from Taunton, says he is in dispute with his ex-wife over the value of their former home in the town, which is to be sold at auction.

Mr Cuthbert, speaking after the behind-closed-doors hearing yesterday, said: "Last time I was in court there was my ex-wife, two female solicitors and a female judge.

"They put the house to auction without letting me have a say at all. So this time I thought I'd go dressed as a woman.

"Maybe somebody will listen to what I have to say as a woman more than they would as a man."

He went on: "I bought the dress in a shop in Taunton. And I got the wig from the party place on the high street. I knew my size so I knew it would fit me.

"When I went up there this morning, people just weren't recognising me as a man.

"One person said they had their suspicions, but they weren't sure.

"I've been singing a bit of country music, because that's what I always wanted to do, and I've made a CD with six tracks on it.

"I filmed myself miming to Patsy Cline with all my gear on, so you never know what the future might hold."

He says the reaction in the courtroom was positive, and is pleased that the judge is awaiting confirmation from an estate agent over the market value of the property.

Mr Cuthbert said: "The judge was totally different to last time. The last time I didn't even get to have a say. She was quite nice this time."

The former lorry driver, who claims disability benefits after being crushed by a vehicle's tail lift mechanism, claims he will be left homeless if the judge agrees that the two-bedroom terrace is brought down in value to £120,000.

Because his share of the divorce settlement is based on the value of the property, he says a reduction in the asking price would not leave him enough money to buy a one-bedroom flat for himself and his beagle dog, Freddie.