The crucial role of North-East munitions workers during the Second World War is due to be celebrated next year.

The National Lottery last night announced a £7.3m fund to pay for events marking the service of home front veterans on the 60th anniversary of the war's end.

Home Front Recall will provide grants for street parties and reunions to honour thousands of former codebreakers, firefighters, nurses and miners.

A spokeswoman for the fund said it would also include those who worked in the munitions factories, including the Aycliffe Angels.

More than 14,000 people - mostly women - worked at the giant munitions plant, close to Aycliffe village, County Durham, at the height of the war.

The spokeswoman said: "It is for those who did their bit on the home front. A lot of these people get forgotten.

"The debt we owe to those who participated in the war effort is immense."

The work of the women at the Aycliffe factory making bombs and bullets went unrecognised for almost 50 years until The Northern Echo launched its Aycliffe Angels campaign.

The campaign culminated in a permanent memorial to workers on the Home Front unveiled by the Queen in Coventry.

Alice Raine, 83, who was an examiner at the factory, welcomed last night's news.

She said: "I think it's a good idea. I still keep in touch with other Aycliffe Angels but there aren't many of us left."

Only groups, and not individuals, are allowed to apply for funding and the maximum award is £20,000. Younger generations, such as Scout groups and cadets, who want to commemorate war workers can also apply.

Anyone who would like to apply for funding should call 08457 458 458.