DURING the last world war, the then Queen Elizabeth proved an inspiration for thousands of women who worked on the home front.

Women were drafted into munitions factories to make bombs and bullets. More than 10,000 worked at a factory in Aycliffe, County Durham.

Lord Haw Haw, the infamous Nazi broadcaster, dubbed them "the little angels of Aycliffe", promising that the Luftwaffe would bomb them into submission.

But spirits were raised when the King and Queen paid a surprise morale-boosting visit.

Yesterday, Aycliffe Angels paid tribute to the Queen Mother.

Vera Ball, 81, who worked in the factory for three years, said: "In my opinion as a woman and mother, she led us during the war, along with Churchill.

"She was very, very much a role model, someone to look up to, an example to all women in a wonderful and remarkable generation. I know she was 101, but it's still very sad. She was the last of a remarkable generation."

The Queen Mother remained in London during the war to support her husband, earning the respect of women across Britain.

Aycliffe Angel Alice Raine, 81, said: "She was a real lady, an example to everyone. The way she did her voluntary work and stayed in London was an inspiration.

"She had a full and long life, but her death coming so soon after Princess Margaret must be awful for the Queen. It is very, very sad."

Nora Paul said: "She was a brave lady, more brave than I can say. She wouldn't leave London in the war. I went through it and I was petrified. It's very sad that she has died."

Mrs Paul, 87, of Darlington, who worked examining bullets, said: "It's very, very sad. The Queen Mother was a lovely person, who did a lot for everybody.

"She just went about her work. She wouldn't leave the country during the war and walked around during the Blitz.

"She was a very good example to people. She had a good life and, at 101, I suppose it was to be expected, but it is still terribly sad."

The dangers faced by the Aycliffe Angels at the factory was never really appreciated by many people.

Some lost their lives, others lost limbs and were left scarred when detonators went off accidentally.

Their efforts went unrecognised until 2000, when a national service of remembrance was held at Coventry Cathedral, attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The Northern Echo had successfully campaigned to win Government recognition of their war effort.