A COUNTY woman met the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a celebration of the work that former land girls and lumber Jills did for the country during the Second World War.

Maureen Bainbridge, who was handed the prestigious honour of representing Worcestershire during the victory parade at the end of the conflict in 1945, said she was still on cloud nine after her trip to London.

The 86-year-old received her commemorative badge earlier in the year and wore it proudly at a lunch at the Royal Opera House before having tea with the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Alexandra at Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Bainbridge, aged 86, of Churchway Piece, Inkberrow, said: “I had a wonderful day and I’m not really back on Earth yet. It was a really wonderful occasion to go to.

“I’m delighted they have taken it forward to this stage because we did work hard and did make a big contribution during the war.”

Mrs Bainbridge worked on farms in Ombersley, St John’s and Lyppard Grange, and also helped to build, test and demonstrate new machinery around Worcestershire as part of the county’s Royal Agricultural Executive Committee.

She said she used to milk cows by hand and could turn her hand to anything.

Mrs Bainbridge, who grew up in York before moving to Worcestershire, was among 90 former members of the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps who visited London on Wednesday.

After a nice lunch she said she was surprised when Prince Philip briefly sat at her table at Buckingham Palace.

“He was a very good fellow,” she said. “He talked well and I felt quite at home with him.”

Mrs Bainbridge said she had enjoyed meeting all of the other women and sharing stories of their time as land girls.

“It was a memorable occasion and I will never forget it,” she said.