WOMEN who kept the home fires burning during the Second World War will receive badges of honour from the Prime Minister.

Former members of the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps will meet Gordon Brown and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn at a ceremony in 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, July 23.

About 50 former “Lumberjills” from around the country will represent their former colleagues at the presentation, where they will be given their badges.

Other land girls will be sent their badges and certificates in the following weeks, with events held across the country to celebrate their war efforts.

More than 29,000 applications for the badge have so far been received by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since Mr Benn announced in December that Land Girls were to be awarded badges of honour.

To apply for a badge, visit www.defra.gov.uk/farm/working/wla, write to Dermot McInerney, Defra, 5E Millbank, c/o 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR, or call 08459 33 55 77.

Were you a Land Girl or lumberjill? Contact the Messenger with your memories by writing to 7 High Street, Gravesend, DA11 0BQ, or call 01474 564327.