A marked Malta police car is to be driven all the way to Rome to feature in an international event marking the anniversary of the Italian Polizia Di Stato.

Police Sergeant Raymond Ambrogio and Constables Duncan Schembri and Stephen Camilleri, together with their patrol car, will board the catamaran to Pozzallo this weekend. They will then drive to Messina, where they will catch a ferry to Reggio Di Calabria and make their way to Rome.

Throughout their overland journey, they will be escorted by the Squadra Volante and the Polizia Di Stato because no foreign police car can be driven in a country unless accompanied by officers of the home force.

Preceded by rehearsals, the celebrations, which this year will be promoting cooperation between member states, are expected to draw representatives from the four corners of the European Union.

The activities in the programme - spread over three days between May 14 and 16, will again take place at the spacious Piazza Del Popolo and the Maltese policemen will be accommodated at the Nettuno Police Academy.

The police force is also working with the Malta Tourism Authority to promote the island as a tourist destination and will be distributing souvenirs and leaflets throughout the event.

The three Maltese police officers will drive back on May 17.

Police Commissioner John Rizzo has always backed the participation of Maltese police officers in the celebrations overseas. Indeed, PS Paul Cassar, PS Joseph Farrugia and PC Martin Pace appeared on foreign television stations last year.

This is the fifth time that the police force is participating in the Italian celebrations.