When octogenarian Sylvia O'Dell paraded through the Arndale with her brand new Women's Land Army badge pinned to her blazer, no-one took a blind bit of notice.

But the former Land Girl is still thrilled to bits with the green and gold emblem, the first official recognition of the contribution made by the WLA and Women's Timber Corps.

When it was announced last year that members were finally to be honoured for their war efforts, Sylvia, who has lived in Luton for more than half a century, was one of the first to apply.

She said: "It came about a week ago. I heard a 'plop' through the letter box and saw an envelope that seemed heavy. I wondered if it was what I thought it was.

"I opened it carefully and there was the badge in a lovely little box, all royal blue velvet. I sat there and it looked at me and I looked at it and I said: 'You're lovely.'"

Sylvia immediately put it on and went walk-about "as if I was going on duty." But to her dismay, no-one noticed the shiny badge featuring
wheatsheafs and topped with a crown. And she was too proud to point it out.

She was also disappointed that the accompanying letter was signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and not a member of the Royal family.

"It's a pity it wasn't the Queen's signature," she said. "And I'm not the only one who feels that way."

During the Second World War, land girls helped run farms and feed the nation while the men were away fighting. They dug ditches, ploughed fields, milked cows, sowed seeds and harvested crops. 'Lumberjills' felled trees and ran sawmills to provide timber for the war effort.

Members of both groups have campaigned for decades for the recognition they deserve. Last year environment secretary Hilary Benn announced the government's decision to issue a badge. He said: "It is a fitting way to pay tribute to their determination, courage and spirit in the face of adversity."

For more on the award from Defra, click here

Bedfordshire Women's Land Army