FORMER Land Girls received special praise yesterday in the build-up to Armed Forces Day, on Saturday.

They were also given medals for their achievements as they met to embrace old friends and reminisce about their time in the Woman’s Land Army.

During the Second World War, they were called up to keep the country’s food stock replenished while the men went off to fight.

Doris Simpson, 86, worked on an arable farm near Colchester, producing corn and sugar beet.

Doris, from Hart Road, Thundersley, said: “We knew we had to work hard. During the harvest we would get up around 6am and we wouldn’t be back in until 10pm.

“The first time I went home I was in tears. I told my family I wouldn't go back, but you got used to it.”

Despite the hardship of farm life, often a long way from home, the Land Girls kept treasured memories of their war-time experiences.

Barbara Beechan was just 16 years old when she went to work at a farm in Hertfordshire.

Barbara, 84, of Springfield, Hadleigh, said: “It was actually a really exciting time for us girls, it was our first time away from home and unsupervised.”

“We did have an awful lot of fun.”

Mayor Cliff Brunt summed up at a ceremony at Castle Point Council offices, in Kiln Road, Thundersley. He said: “During the dark days of the war you provided food to the nation and we owe you a huge debt of gratitude.”