THE efforts of the Women's Land Army were commemorated in a special event at Waltham Forest Town Hall.

The council became one of the first to formally thank the land army for their work during the First and Second World Wars at the ceremony on May 7.

Veterans were presented with commemorative certificates by council leader Clyde Loakes and Waltham Forest mayor Sheila Smith-Pryor.

They also shared memories of the hard labour they endured, including dragging hundredweight sacks across the threshing room floor and planting potatoes, with councillors and officers.

Ruby Sharp, a former member of the Women's Land Army, said: “As terrible as the times were I wouldn’t trade my experiences for all the tea in China. It makes me feel like I’ve really lived.”

Cllr Loakes added: “The Women’s Land Army made an enormous contribution to Britain’s military effort over two World Wars and to a very large extent, are the unsung heroes of those testing times.

“I’m proud that we’ve been able to bring so many former Land Girls together and it was inspiring to hear first-hand just what they had to go through to help keep the country running."

Guests, and their friends and spouses, were also treated to tea and scones with clotted cream at the event.