Martyn Lamb, 40, wore the wig and basques, thongs, high heels, stockings and suspenders at least 50 times over six months last year.

But Lamb, who was cautioned for outraging public decency in November, was cleared of sexual exposure after a magistrate said there was no evidence he deliberately exposed himself.

Lamb, who started wearing women's clothes as a child, told police his wife knew nothing about his secret hobby, which he pursued to "unwind" during the day.

The self-employed pest controller, who wore lingerie under his work clothes, changed near the railway line two to three times a week between May 12 and November 12 last year, close to his home in the village of Hambleton.

Freight train driver Roy Hughes witnessed Lamb's antics as he slowed down to around five miles an hour to pass through a junction.

Giving evidence at York magistrates court, he said: "I saw him roughly three or four times, always in the same place.

"On the first occasion he was wearing a long overcoat, then slipped it off and he was wearing women's clothing underneath.

"He was wearing a basque, stockings and high heels and a big blonde wig. The second time he was wearing a denim miniskirt with brown stockings and a G-string."

In a police interview, Lamb claimed he wore women's clothing for "escapism" and said he was suffering from stress after two of his sons were diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder.

He said: "I wanted people to see me dressed like that. I think I wanted to be caught. I did it just to unwind during the day.

"During my rounds at work I would find a quiet spot to change. I find it a release from my pressures.

"I've always put the wig on. It's the finishing touch of the day. I bought the lingerie from an Ann Summers shop a while ago.

"It isn't acceptable behaviour. Anyone seeing this on a train would probably be horrified and a bit shocked."

When questioned by startled cops, he said he would change back into his standard trousers and jumper near the tracks before going on the school run.

"I have to be home at a certain time to pick up the kids. I would get changed near the train line as it was secluded. I'm not aware that I exposed anything to a train driver."