Bourne town councillor Don Fisher was invited to the armed forces reception dinner for veterans at Downing Street by Bourne MP Quentin Davies.

He was taken to the dinner by Andy Stubley of Moonshine Taxis, who generously offered to drive him to London for free.

Coun Fisher, 75, of West Road, Bourne, said he enjoyed the event.

He said: "I met Mr Brown and had a long chat with him. He asked about my time in the forces and I told him all about people I'd met over the years.

"He asked me what I thought about everything and I was honest and told him that I was a Conservative but I said to him you've got courage. I said that everybody would find it difficult what he is going through at the moment and he smiled when I said it.

"I told Mr Brown that Andrew had brought me and that the Stamford Mercury organised it. He said he'd heard of the Mercury and I said to him I should hope you have because it is the oldest newspaper in the country."

Coun Fisher said he was grateful to Mr Davies who provided a wheelchair for him and pushed him around Downing Street on a tour.

He said: "Quentin was very good. He pushed me around Downing Street and I was very impressed. There are pictures and statues everywhere."

Coun Fisher said there were about 40 people at the event and he met some interesting people.

He added: "I was very grateful to Andrew for bringing me and the Mercury. It went very well and I'm glad I went."