The Queen has dedicated a national memorial to the millions of Home Front volunteers of World War II.

The memorial, a plaque, is set in the floor of Coventry's old St Michael's Cathedral, which was reduced to a burned-out shell by Nazi bombs.

Millions of people joined the home war effort between 1939-45, with bodies ranging from the Home Guard to the Women's Land Army.

More than 1.5 million people volunteered to work in the Home Guard which was formed in May 1940, later immortalised in the BBC TV series Dad's Army.

The men, many of whom were unable to join the regular Army, played a vital role in guarding vulnerable installations.

More than 80,000 women worked the land, driving tractors, threshing, ploughing, tree-felling, hedging and ditching as part of the Women's Land Army.

By 1943 women formed a quarter of the Civil Defence force, most of them as air-raid wardens, with the fire service or driving ambulances through the air raids.

And 56,000 women had joined the Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Command by 1943.

Their work is also being recognised at a thanksgiving service attended by the Queen and Prince Philip.

The event, held at the new Coventry Cathedral, is also attended by Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, and other leading politicians.

The service is the highlight of a day commemorating Home Front volunteers for the royal couple.

As well as visiting museum exhibitions about life during the war, the Queen and Prince Philip are meeting Home Front veterans.