Seventy-five years and not one issue missed - even when German bombs were raining down around the printing press in Valletta. It is a record held proudly by an organisation that has detailed world history, provided independent reportage and analysed local news.

It was on August 7, 1935, that the first edition of The Times of Malta, a modest eight pages, hit the newsstands with a leading story about Italian plans for the invasion of Abyssinia.

Soon The Times and The Sunday Times became Malta's leading and best-selling newspapers. The publisher - Allied Newspapers Ltd - has since branched out into publishing, magazines and an online service, among others.

The 75th anniversary also coincides with the inauguration of the new Progress Press premises, the printing arm of Allied Newspapers, later this year.

The €26 million state-of-the-art factory in Mrieħel will expand its business to further tap the international printing market.

A full programme of activities will be announced shortly.