Ref. 30941-9STREET warden Michael Yohans has been invited to a London reception with Prime Minister Tony Blair as thanks for his community work in Swindon.

Michael, 34, from Upper Stratton, said the fact he had received the invitation to Number 10 was still sinking in.

"For a while I was so excited I couldn't express myself. It is something I never expected or imagined would happen," he said.

The reception, on June 21, is being held to recognise the work done across the UK by frontline community workers.

An administrator for the Parks and Walcot street wardens, Michael regularly dons his warden uniform to help run the juniors' activities.

Before coming to Swindon two and a half years ago he worked for a community group in India.

The differences between the two jobs were not so great, he said.

"It's basically the same. You get trouble here and there and good people here and there. People are all the same.

"But in Swindon people are well off, with better facilities than there are in India," he added.

Michael said the only times he had seen Mr Blair were on television, and he was looking forward to the chance of meeting him in person.

"I haven't thought about what I would say to him yet," he said. "I'll see what happens."