It was an emotional afternoon of nostalgia for dozens of Black Country pensioners who met for afternoon tea.

It was there they discussed memories and shared experiences of their time working in the Women’s Land Army during the Second World War.

The ladies were invited to Walsall Town Hall for afternoon tea with the mayor of Walsall, councillor Tom Ansell, where they enjoyed wartime entertainment.

The event was held to acknowledge the part women played in the war effort.

There was a huge shortage of people to farm the land as thousands of men who worked as farm labourers joined the army to fight.

For Evelyn Nunn, aged 79, from Shire Oak, Walsall, the memories of her time in the land army were still as fresh as if it was yesterday.

She went in to the land army aged 17 and was based at several farms including Sutton and Peterborough.

She said: “I would rejoin the land army today if I had the chance. I absolutely loved it. The work was hard. We would be up very early in the morning and would work hard on the farm all day. But it was fantastic and so rewarding. My favourite part of the job was rearing the animals – I just loved that.

“The girls got on great and we had such fun. It is great to come here today and to talk to ladies who experienced the same things as myself.”

Margaret Smith, aged 80, from Valley Road, Bloxwich, worked on a farm in Wall, near Lichfield and was in the land army between 1946 and 1948.

According to Margaret, it was one of the best times of her life, which gave her great satisfaction and long lasting memories.

She said: “I worked on a pig farm and absolutely loved rearing the little piglets. They were just wonderful days. We worked very hard but it was enjoyable work and very rewarding.”

Hilda Fellows, aged 82, from SuttonRoad,Walsall, spent four years in the Women’s Land army.

She said: “They were just fabulous times. It was a chance for women to feel part of the war effort and to think we were doing something to help the country in its time of need. But it was great fun as well as hard work.”

Jean Reeves, aged 81, from Trees Road, Walsall, joined the land army as a 17-year-old in 1944.

She worked on numerous farms including Worcester and Evesham.

For widowed Mrs Reeves, it was a chance for her to take her mind off the plight of her husband Arthur who had been taken a prisoner of war in Germany while serving in the 2nd Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders.

She said: “I think many of the women wanted to play their part in the war effort while their husbands and boyfriends were fighting abroad.

“There was a real sense of camaraderie and I have only happy memories of my time in the land army.”

Walsall mayor Tom Ansell added: “ I think the ladies had a really wonderful time. The efforts of these ladies should be highlighted and acknowledged and I am delighted to be a part of it.”