SERVING Australian soldiers joined up with Codford villagers  for the annual work party to clean the Codford Hill badge figure on Lamb Down.

Better known to the troops of the First World War as Misery Hill, the ‘rising sun’ Trophy of Arms of the ANZAC badge was carved into the chalk in 1916.

Allowed to grow over during World War Two in order for it not to be used by  German bombers as a navigational aid, it was restored when hostilities ceased.

The clean-up, organised by the Codford Badge Committee chaired by Tom Thornton, lasted all morning and was followed by lunch in the Village Hall.

Mr Thornton said: “Although there weren’t as many locals as in previous years, we managed to get much more done than we expected. The weather was also better than we’ve had in previous years.

“The badge is looking really good now and it was great that we could get help from several serving Australian soldiers who are here on a posting.

“We have been doing this annually since 2000 when it was instigated by an army officer at Warminster Garrison, who got in contact with Codford Parish Council.

“There were about 30 or so volunteers from the village who helped out during the morning and we want to say a big thank you to everyone who got involved, especially the wives and girlfriends who put on lunch.”