THE Territorial Army has taken Carl Alford to two of the world's war zones.

But on Wednesday the young soldier had a different kind of duty - visiting 10 Downing Street for a celebration of the TA's 100th anniversary.

Rifleman Alford, from North Way, Oxford, was one of 29 part-time soldiers invited to a reception with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Mr Brown thanked the soldiers, who were joined at the event by their employers, for their commitment and service to the armed forces.

Rfn Alford, 23, who works at Lucy's Switchgear, in Thame, said: "It was a good day out, but I didn't get a chance to speak to Gordon Brown personally. He spoke to a few soldiers and a made a speech - it was a really good reception.

"I did manage to speak to (Defence Secretary) Des Browne about the TA, about how it's changed, what it's done for me as a person and how my employers have supported me. It's not every day you get to go to Downing Street and meet the Prime Minister. It was certainly special."

Rfn Alford, a member of 7 Rifles, based at Slade Barracks, in Headington, served in the Iraqi city of Basra in 2005, then went to Helmand Province, in Afghanistan, last year, returning home in March.

Lucy's UK operations manager Kevin Quinell, who also attended the reception, said: "We have a couple of lads working for us who are in the TA and it's something we're proud to support."

"Going to number 10 Downing Street is obviously special. It was nice to see Carl's efforts recognised like this and for us as his employer to get an official thank you.

"We've always believed having employees in the TA is beneficial to them and to us as you see the lads become more mature, confident and willing to make decisions."

The reception was held on Wednesday to coincide with the TA's 'uniform to work' day which saw part-time soldiers nationwide leave their civilian clothes at home and wear their army uniform instead.

Since returning from Afghanistan, Rfn Alford said he had settled back into "civvy" life well, adding: "It can be a bit of a bumpy ride to start with, trying to get used to normal life again, but I'm okay now.

"I returned to work about a month ago, and I think it's true that the grass always seems greener on the other side.

"When I was in Afghanistan I wanted to be back home, but now I'm back home I miss the lads."