Having just spent another enjoyable week in Malta, I called in at the Tourist Office to pick up some brochures for a friend who is visiting next year for the first time.

Sadly, the three people on duty were far too busy either chatting among themselves or staring at the far end of the room to deal with a mere tourist!

In desperation I picked up a self-evidently Spanish leaflet and asked if it were available in English? “No it’s in Spanish,” was the brusque reply.

Is it too much to ask that the front line staff at the Tourist Office be sent to the excellent new shopping centre at Sliema where the assistants are unfailingly helpful and informative?