Ayla Holdom, from Somerset but living in Dorset, praises support of British defence chiefs in wake of Donald Trump's ban

Ayla Holdom, 36, was a search and rescue helicopter pilot in the force for seven years up until March 2016, and said supportive comments made publicly by senior members of the British military matter "hugely".

The pilot, who now flies helicopters for the National Police Air Service, said she was already aware of the military's appreciation and respect for diversity.

"I've heard senior leadership talking before proudly about diversity and the need for diversity. I have heard that before, so I knew already that we had their support.

"But to do so publicly and in such quick defence like they did yesterday was actually very special. It would have been easy for them to say 'well you know that we support you' and leave it at that," she told the Press Association.

Rear Admiral Alex Burton, Commander UK Maritime Forces, tweeted: "As a Royal Navy LGBT champion and senior warfighter I am so glad we are not going this way."

And Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock said on Twitter he was "proud" of the Royal Navy's transgender personnel.

Ms Holdom, who is from Somerset but lives in Dorset, said her colleagues rallied around her "brilliantly" when she began transitioning in 2010.

She said the military is aware that diversity "produces a better outcome", adding: "We have a better service and a stronger team by being diverse, by not all being the same."

Asked about how she felt when Mr Trump's announcement was made, Ms Holdom said she felt "overwhelming sadness" and her thoughts were with her friends and colleagues in the US.

"And then to suddenly be told you're not welcome, you're not valued, my heart just sank and went out to them," she said.

Ms Holdom, who served for a total of 13 years, said: "There's a lot of experience around the world of this happening. My personal experience is it's fine. It's already working in America as well. These people deserve respect."