WEDDING history was set to be made in York today, as Clare Dennis and Tony Humphreys tied the knot.

When Clare walks down the aisle at York Register Office, she will be stepping into the record books as the first person to tie the knot as both a groom and a bride.

Clare, 56, who had a sex change operation in 1991, first got married at the register office in Bootham 29 years ago, when she was still a man.

On Thursday, she will take part in the 30-minute ceremony as the bride.

Clare, of Acomb, said she was "excited" about her big day, while Tony who has never been married admitted to feeling "nervous".

The wedding was originally planned for June 2, but the couple cancelled it after arguing over who to invite to the reception.

They agreed to keep it a small affair, with only a few close friends. Instead of a party, they will have a drink at the Exhibition in Bootham after the afternoon ceremony.

Clare, who is keeping her wedding outfit under wraps, said: "I can't believe I'm going to be Mrs Humphreys.

"It's fantastic. I never dreamed I'd be able to get married again, and now I can."

Clare's marriage was made possible after a change in the law last year, which enabled transsexuals to have their new gender recorded on their birth certificate.

It formally recognised Clare as a woman allowing her to marry a man.

Clare said she felt different about this wedding. "I didn't feel like this before. If I'd known what I know now, I wouldn't have gone through with it.

"But this time it feels right. Tony and I have been together for 12 years in December, so we don't expect anything is going to change, but it is nice to make the commitment.

"It will be fantastic to exchange rings. He will belong to me and I will belong to him."

Tony said: "I am a bit nervous about the whole situation. It's my first time. But it is good the law has been changed for Clare."

Clare added: "I can't believe I'm going to be part of York history."