Dame Vera Lynn is supporting a move to protect the White Cliffs of Dover.

The wartime Forces’ Sweetheart is backing a £1 million appeal by the National Trust.

The conservation charity aims to buy 700,000 sq m of land immediately behind the clifftop, which it secured in 2012.

This will enable the restoration of habitat and land conditions, improve public access, and inspire future generations to connect with the heritage and history of the area.

Dame Vera, who turned 100 in March, sang the classic 1942 song about the cliffs as part of her efforts to boost British troops’ morale.

She said: “Those iconic white cliffs mean a great deal to so many people.

“They were often the first sight of home for our brave boys as they returned from war, and they continue to represent important British ideals such as hope and resilience even in the most difficult of times.

“It is vital that we do all that we can to preserve this important historical site for posterity, so that the memory of the past is never forgotten by future generations.”

The National Trust says the stretch of land is crucial for future nature and wildlife, with over 40 species of flowers and grasses per square metre.

It is also a habitat for butterflies such as the Adonis Blue and Marbled White and birds including the peregrine falcon and skylark.

The site also has a number of Second World War features including two large gun emplacements.

The land, adjacent to Wanstone farm buildings, known historically as Wanstone Battery, will enable the Trust to begin reverting and restoring the land to chalk grasslands.

The work also involves making the military structures watertight and creating new access routes for visitors.

Virginia Portman, general manager of the White Cliffs of Dover, said: “The site should be open for the whole nation to enjoy.

"It would be devastating if we lost the opportunity to protect it forever.

“A successful appeal will not only allow us to secure the land but also educate and inspire future generations.”

The Trust is using money from its Neptune coastal fund towards the cost of purchase, and is aiming to raise another £1 million by Friday, September 22 to secure the land.

Donations that come after that day, or after the appeal has reached £1 million, will support ongoing work to protect this and other coastal landscapes across the UK.

Money can be donated online via the National Trust's website.