AN OCTOGENARIAN has finally been rewarded for serving her country 63 years after she helped defeat the tyranny of Nazism.

Widow Joan Swain, 87, of Ashbrook Road, Over Alderley, is one of 80,000 Land Girls who ploughed, tilled and harvested up and down the country to feed Britain during World War Two.

Defra has now acknowledged the 30,000 remaining members of the Women’s Land Army with the Badge of Honour for their sterling efforts.

The mum-of-one said: "I’m proud to say it’s something I did for my country."

Joan, who lived on Hurdsfield Road, Macclesfield before being called up, was sent 330 miles away from family and friends to a dairy farm in Penzance, Cornwall, the furthest point to which she could’ve been posted.

At the tender age of just 20 the Brocklehurst Whiston mill worker was living with an old couple called "Mr and Mrs Gilbert" and cycling two miles to work everyday.

She said: "I wasn’t classed as being in a reserved occupation at the mill. Soon after I joined the Land Army the mill started making silk parachutes and all the workers suddenly had reserved occupations."

Undaunted by the move the young Joan was sent off to learn how to use milking machines, living in digs in a suburb of Penzance called Haymore.

The poorly-paid work was all-consuming with Joan working seven days a week – she had Saturday afternoons and every other Sunday off.

When she did get a moment to herself she would travel with friends to the nearby coast.

She said: "When I was off duty we would go into St Ives and have the most delicious lobster suppers."

The gargantuan effort made by Joan and other women like her has not gone on unnoticed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

He said: "The Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps worked tirelessly in the war years to keep this country going by providing food and supplies, and timber for the war effort.  Their work was absolutely vital, and it is right that we thank them now for their dedication in the service of their country."