Veteran artist and sculptor Victor Diacono died yesterday aged 93.

Mr Diacono was renowned for his bust and head sculptures and his watercolour paintings. He studied at the School of Art from 1929 to 1937 under Prof. Antonio Micallef and George Borg.

In 1937 he won a six-year scholarship and studied in Rome until 1940, when he had to return to Malta because of World War II. He continued his studies in the UK between 1947 and 1950.

In 1951 he got a job at the Hotel Phoenicia and remained there until his retirement.

Described by many as an artist who spoke in silence, Mr Diacono kept a relatively low profile throughout his long career. He adopted a style of his own and his works were regularly on demand.

Mr Diacono leaves to mourn his loss his wife Antoinette, whom he married in 1952, and his children Joseph, Loraine, Andrew, also an artist, and Michael, as well as numerous grandchildren, relatives and friends.