The Prime Minister has thanked Northern Ireland-based soldiers for their service in Afghanistan.

During a morale-boosting visit to the deadly Helmand Province yesterday, Gordon Brown met some of the 2,000 troops from 19 Light Brigade — the first full military brigade to deploy directly from Northern Ireland.

Mr Brown shook hands and spoke with soldiers from the Combat Service Support Battalion who have swapped their Kinnegar barracks for tented accommodation in Camp Bastion — the sprawling military base in the heart of the Afghan desert.

The Co Down-based truckers, who are four weeks into their six-month tour of duty, have been providing vital supplies such as rations, water, ammunition and fuel for soldiers at remote outposts across Helmand.

“It was good to meet the Prime Minister, we spoke for five minutes and it was great to feel that he really understands what the guys go through whilst on tour and the sacrifices that are made. I felt immensely proud to be thanked first hand by the Prime Minister. It was a pleasure to meet him,” Private James Pitchforth said.

Meanwhile Lance Corporal Chris Ogle (25) said: “The Prime Minister was very grateful for all our efforts — this made me feel we are doing a really worthwhile job in helping to build a better future for the Afghan people.”

The 19 Light Brigade which includes the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery based at Lisburn, 38 Engineer Regiment from Antrim, 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, based in Ballykinler and 19 Combat Service Support Battalion barracked at Kinnegar, is currently providing the bulk of the UK force in Afghanistan.

Last month Sappers Mark Quinsey (23) and Patrick Azimkar (21) from 38 Engineer Regiment were shot dead by dissident republicans just hours before they deployed to Afghanistan. The two young soldiers were dressed in their desert fatigues when they were gunned down as they collected pizza at the gates of the Massereene barracks.

During his 10 minute speech in Camp Bastion yesterday Mr Brown also moved to reassure the soldiers of their safety upon their return to Northern Ireland in September.

“It was encouraging to hear what the Prime Minister said, this means that we can relax, knowing our families and friends are safe. It allows us to focus on operations whilst in Afghanistan,” Staff Sergeant James Burns said.

The Prime Minister was also shown a selection of the Army’s new vehicles including the heavily armoured Mastiff and Panther which are used as command platforms for Combat Logistic Patrols throughout the Helmand region.