Campaign for Land Girls monument in Staffordshire raises £65,000

The Women's Land Army was first formed in 1917

A fundraising campaign for a memorial celebrating women who served in the Land Army during World War Two has reached a major milestone.

The Staffordshire Women's Food and Farming Union (SWFU) has raised £65,000 - enough for the sculpture itself.

Now it just needs a further £20,000 to pay for installation, engraving, landscaping and the unveiling ceremony.

It is hoped the memorial will be in place at Staffordshire's National Memorial Arboretum by the autumn.

"I think this is absolutely essential that the future generations realise what we did," said former land girl Mary Wright.

"I think it's a wonderful idea."

The Women's Land Army was first formed in 1917. Women were trained in agricultural skills and posted to work on farms across the UK.

By 1943, 80,000 women were serving in the Land Army, producing 70% of Britain's food, the SWFU said.