FORMER ack-ack girl Edna Storr said today she was "elated" after discovering that hers was the only name on the new memorial to the women of the Second World War.

Mrs Storr, 81, of Cedar Crescent, Selby, was attending the unveiling of the £1 million bronzed statue, near the Cenotaph in Whitehall, earlier this month when the memorial's designer John Mills walked over to her.

He told her: "I have something to tell you - your name is the only one on the memorial."

An incredulous Mrs Storr then scoured the monument and, sure enough, her wartime nickname "Smudge" had been engraved on the chin strap of a tin helmet worn by women in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).

Widow Mrs Storr said: "I thought he was pulling my leg. I grabbed hold of Mr Mills and gave him a big hug and kiss.

"My maiden name was Smith and my fellow ack-ack girls nicknamed me Smudge from the word go.

"Knowing my name is up there in our capital city makes me extremely proud and thrilled."

The 22ft high and 16ft long sculpture of women's uniforms was placed near Downing Street to commemorate the seven million women who contributed to the war effort.

A plane height finder and plotter, Mrs Storr ended up with a patch over her left eye while still in the ATS and for years has been unable to see out of it.

Her nickname is on the tin helmet chin strap, which is part of the ATS uniform of great coat, gas mask box and respirator.

She said: "I loved the name Smudge and still do. Letters, as well as birthday and Christmas cards, from my family always have names such as Granny Smudge and Aunty Smudge on them, never Edna."

The memorial finally became a reality this month after a seven-year battle by York and Selby-based campaigners, supported by an Evening Press campaign and petition.

A charity trust was founded by Mrs Storr and former Army gunner Mildred Veal, of Clifton, York, along with Major David Robertson and accountant Bill Moralee, both of Imphal Barracks in York.

Updated: 10:18 Wednesday, July 27, 2005