Samantha hosts her first Downing Street reception

Samantha Cameron has hosted her first Downing Street reception, inviting armed forces personnel and relatives of those who have been killed to the garden of Number 10.

The event was in aid of Tickets for Troops, of which the Prime Minister's wife became a patron after David Cameron helped launch it last year.

The charity obtains free tickets for military personnel to attend major sporting, music and theatre events.

Pregnant Mrs Cameron was joined by the Duke of York and General Sir David Richards, the head of the Army, as well as beneficiaries and other supporters of Tickets for Troops.

The Prime Minister's wife also announced that another attendee, Christina Schmid, widow of bomb disposal expert Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, was becoming a patron of the charity.

There will be a special stand at Silverstone this Sunday for 500 troops to see the British Grand Prix.

Other forthcoming events which services personnel will be attending for free include the third test between England and Pakistan at the Oval and the next England football match - a friendly against Hungary at Wembley next month.