SHE was one of thousands of women who volunteered to keep the country running during the Second World War.

Now, more than 65 year later, Gladys McHaffie and her fellow landgirls are to be honoured for their efforts on the home front.

Last night Gladys welcomed moves to introduce a lapel badge to recognise the role of the Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps.

But the 85-year-old, from Hedge End, said the badge, launched by the Government yesterday had come "too late" for many.

Mrs McHaffie, who was based in Hook near Basingstoke for about seven years, including the Second World War, was one of more than 120,000 landgirls who worked the land to maintain supplies of wood and keep Britain fed in wartime.

She described how she was driven out to the fields as early as 5.30am daily to begin a back-breaking day pulling up bales of sugar beets, thatching ricks and picking potatoes and barley.

She said: "We were dropped off on the field, sometimes in the dark. We weren't allowed any light for security reasons. If we were lucky we put a couple of potatoes over a fire for lunch. It was very hard work but we kept the country running."

The mother-of-three and grandmother-of-six, who married a policeman after the war, told the Daily Echo she would be applying for the commemorative badge.

But she said: "I think it's a very good idea but they've done it all too late. I would rather they give us a couple of pounds on our pension."

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, launching the badge yesterday, said: "It is absolutely right that we at last recognise the selfless efforts these women made to support the nation through the dark days of World War I and II."

Application forms are available for anyone who believes they may be eligible for a badge.

Call 08459 335577 for more information.