ESSEX County Council has come under fire for their depiction of a transgender person in a library consultation survey.

The picture appeared as part of the council’s ‘Future Library Services Strategy Questionnaire’, alongside a question regarding a participant’s gender.

Each tick box option was accompanied by a photo; both the male and female options had stock photos of individuals putting their thumbs up.

However, the transgender option was represented by a clipart image of a person appearing to take off a wig.

A number of people have complained, forcing Essex County Council to make a statement and apologise for any offence caused.

They have also explained how the image was specifically chosen to help communicate with people with learning disabilities.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of a Twitter post that raises concerns about an image on our easy read version of the Libraries Consultation document.

“Firstly we would like to reassure those concerned that the image was specifically chosen to help communicate with people with learning disabilities.

“It was supplied by an organisation called Inspired Services, who work with people with learning disabilities to produce Valuing People Clipart, which is used by the Government and NHS England for easy read publications.

“However, we are sorry for any offence the image has caused and we will now consider whether this image is used in the future.”