Maltese poet, playwright and novelist Guzè Chetcuti died yesterday at the age of 91.

A man who held the Maltese language in high esteem, Mr Chetcuti was awarded the Città di Valletta award in 1986 and was appointed member of the National Order of Merit in 1996.

Born in Cospicua on August 11, 1914, he studied at St Albert's Central School, Valletta and the Teacher's College. In 1936 he entered government service as a primary school teacher.

In 1940 he joined the editorial staff of the Information Office as a translator and worked as a radio announcer during the war.

He rejoined the Education Department and taught Maltese between 1956 and 1974.

Mr Chetcuti was actively involved in the Akkademja tal-Malti and eventually became president of its sub-committee for orthographic matters.

He was a life member of the Maltese Poets Association, council member of the Malta Drama League and co-founder of the Xirka ta' L-Ilsien Malti.

He had numerous publications, but one of his most popular was l-Isqaq, which had won best novel of the year in 1962. The book was eventually translated into English by Maud Ruston as An Alley in Malta in 1971.

The funeral of Mr Chetcuti will be held tomorrow. A Mass praesente cadavere will be said at Stella Maris parish church, Sliema at 9.30 a.m.