Oxford City Council planning officer Lisa Green sipped tea with royalty as part of the Territorial Army's centenary celebrations.

TA reservists and their civil employers from across the country attended the garden party at Buckingham Palace to mark the anniversary.

The event - attended by Prince Edward and the Princess Royal - was a thank you to private companies and public authorities for supporting reservists over the past 100 years.

Corporal Green, a reservist for six years, said visiting the palace was a great experience.

She said: "It was good fun. It was one of those things I will always remember. It's something to tell the grandchildren."

The 37-year-old, from Banbury, said: "The council has really supported my membership of the TA - including giving me an extra two weeks off each year to attend training.

"The garden party was the perfect way to say thank you."

Work colleague Amanda Rendell, who also attended the party, added: "People like Lisa who join the TA do a very important job and deserve our support.

"Employers should realise that the training and experience reservists receive, can develop self-confidence and initiative, which helps them in their civilian job."

Corp Green, who was also joined at the palace by her mother Sheila, and friend Katherine Chorley, said she had joined the TA to keep fit and meet people, and said that if she were called up for active service, she would go. She added: "It's what we are trained for."

More than 400 UK employers attended the garden party last Thursday.

Tim Corry, director of Support for Britain's Reservists and Employers, said: "A crucial factor in the TA's success over the past 100 years has been the support, encouragement and understanding of many of the UK's employers.

"Employers who attended the party have supported their reservist employees in a variety of ways, from enabling them to work more flexibly, to supporting them when they are mobilised.

"But it's not a one-way relationship.

"Reservist employees are a real asset, bringing valuable skills and experience to the workplace."