Tranny scoops Turner Prize

He is hardly your average Essex girl. Grayson Perry, Chelmsford's finest transvestite potter, has stunned the world of modern art by winning its greatest accolade - the Turner Prize.

Perry, 43, wore a specially made £2,500 lilac and blue frock to collect his £20,000 cheque in front of a delirious crowd at Tate Britain last night. The Turner's jury finally opted for Perry over hot favourites Jake and Dinos Chapman after hours of heated debate, according to an inside source.

Artist Sir Peter Blake announced Perry's victory in the 20th anniversary Turner Prize to shrieks of surprise, and then thunderous applause.

Perry won thanks to a collection of pots exploring themes including child abuse, loutishness and class division.

Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota said: "The choice was simply that the jury felt this was very strong work."

The Chapmans were suitably crestfallen. A friend of the brothers said: "They are both blaming each other."

Perry said the £20,000 would be divided between his psychotherapist wife, his 11-year-old daughter's school fees and his Forest Hill dressmaker.

He said: "Really I only want to thank one person, that's my wife Philippa, because she's been my best sponsor, editor, support, and mainly my lover."