Three members of the six-strong squad stepped down after Becky Lee Birtwhistle Hodges, who was born male, was named for next month's physically challenging Home Nations shore fishing championship.

The sport of shore angling requires competitors to battle against strong winds and currents.

The trans angler, who one former team-mate described as having 'hands like shovels', was the only member of the team to catch any fish during a competition in rough weather earlier this year that was held by governing body the Angling Trust to select the final England team.

Now the team's captain, who was among those who quit, has told The Mail on Sunday she informed Angling Trust bosses she would rather have a 'rubbish woman' on the team.

She said male-born competitors had far more upper-body strength, adding: 'This is such an advantage, with the ability to cast longer distances than any woman. They have the capability of doing this while using more powerful equipment, such as stiffer and more powerful rods.

'Not to mention the extra strength she has wading in and out of the surf or walking through mud and rocks, and the stamina to keep this going for four or five hours.