Malta envoy hails Lord Nelson

Malta's High Commissioner in London Michael Refalo planted an oak sapling at Kensington Square Garden to commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson's birthday.

"Malta is indebted to Lord Nelson whose fleet blockaded the French garrison within the walls of Valletta, thereby cutting off maritime routes for the supply of provisions and munitions," Dr Refalo said following the planting.

He said the symbolic gesture was a fitting tribute to a brave man at a time when the people of Great Britain are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Lord Nelson's magnificent victory at Trafalgar.

Warwick Lightfoot, Lord Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, spoke about the role Lord Nelson played to ensure British naval supremacy and, despite his initial misgivings, to the establishment of Malta as Britain's major naval base in the Mediterranean.