ENGLAND and Manchester United star Gary Neville loves Malta so much he has bought himself a place there and set up a soccer school writes Gayle McBain

The Bolton-based footballer has been visiting the tiny island since he was a teenager and has fallen in love with both Malta and the Maltese people.

I spent six days on the island with my two boys, both aged 10, and we got the chance to sample some of Malta's history and culture and the boys got the enviable opportunity to learn soccer skills from an expert coach.

First and foremost it is worth mentioning that Gary, and his dad Neville, organise the two consecutive weekly soccer schools with incredible precision and when you have got 200 children to work with that is no mean feat.

This year there was only one week available as Gary had to undergo a vital foot operation but next year there are two weeks planned.

The children train for three hours every evening, for five days, and the cost of the package, which can be booked as part of a holiday with travel company Belleair is £95.

That covers the five days' training, a full Diadora football kit, football, commemorative medal, certificate and a signed photograph with Gary -- and he actually poses with each child.

There are competitions during the week, with some super prizes to be won.

The course is open to children, both boys and girls, aged eight to 15 and it has to be seen to be believed.

Hundreds of children, mostly Maltese, running around the home of Hibernians FC in Corradino -- on grass no less -- was a sight to be savoured.

The youngsters were divided into small groups and each group studied a different skill, and after an allotted time they moved on to another skill.

It was amazing to see so many youngsters concentrating, behaving and enjoying themselves for three hours at a time.

Gary, who had to miss the World Cup because of injury, was very hands-on.

Unfortunately being "feet-on" was out of the question due to his operation but Gary did hobble around, using a stick, to cast his expert eye over the proceedings. And last year -- when the course was first introduced to Malta -- he got very actively involved.

During a break from the school he told me: "Last year was the first time I had run the course and I played with the kids for three hours, joining in with them. I can't do that this year."

He also told me how he became hooked on Malta -- and the love the Maltese people have for him is obvious. They treat him almost like a national hero.

"When I first came to Malta I was a little bit sceptical about the place but I absolutely loved it. The people and the restaurants are brilliant.

"I have some great friends over here."

Gary managed to fit in some pre-training rehabilitation at the four-star Fortina Spa and Hotel in Sliema where we stayed during our visit.

The hotel is currently undergoing some building work but by next year there will the added bonus of several luxury rooms, with their own exclusive pool, for guests to book.

The Fortina can be booked on an all-inclusive basis which means unlimited drinks, food and most importantly iced-lollies for the children. Just imagine the look of joy on their faces as they tuck into their fourth lolly in a row -- and you do not have to say no when they ask for yet another one.

There are several pools to choose from including an impressive seafront lido which has fantastic views over the capital, Valletta, and another where you can actually sit in the water and sip an ice-cool drink from the bar. This pool was my boys' favourite simply because it had a water polo net.

Table tennis, games machines, mini-golf and water sports are all available at the Fortina, as is the spa facility which includes seawater treatments -- all inclusive guests are entitled to two pool treatments a day. An extra cost will get you a massage, facial or manicure.

There are several restaurants to choose from and at lunchtime you do not even have to take a break from sunbathing as hot and cold food is served at the poolside. In the evening we tried the brand new health cuisine. It is a fine dining restaurant, not particularly suitable for children, but ideal for anyone on a restricted diet.

This incredibly innovative concept gives diners a break-down of the content of their meal on the menu, including fat content and diabetic and gluten-free diet suitability.

There are different styles of rooms to choose from but book one of the more expensive rooms and you will get a free minibar service. The minibar is re-stocked daily.

The beauty of Malta is that it is only a small island and it does not take very long to get just about anywhere you might want to travel to.

The Maltese people are incredibly loyal to the British -- it goes back to the war -- and speak English.

There are English influences everywhere, including high streets filled with familiar stores, but the country is proud of its heritage and that can be seen in its churches and palaces.

We visited Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta known as the silent city, one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world, and the children loved the dungeons which house life-size fibreglass figures. Believe you me it is not for the squeamish.

We also saw Valletta and lunched in a delightful Italian restaurant in one of the city's bustling streets.

There was a visit to the neighbouring island of Gozo included in our visit. Gozo is a beautiful island with incredibly inviting beaches. Much of the Maltese coastline is rocky.

The children loved their trip to the IMAX Cinema in St George's Bay, St Julians where they watched the film T-Rex in 3-D.

Another, much talked-about, trip was the visit to the Mediterraneo Marine Park in Bahar ic-Caghaq where we saw a sea lion and dolphin show.

There are plenty of places to take children to eat, including TGI Friday's and the obligatory McDonalds, but more traditional restaurants are in abundance and it is worth shopping around.

Do not miss out on the Captain Morgan Harbour Cruise which leaves from Sliema, lasts 90 minutes, and is lovely.

FACTFILE

Location: Malta lies almost dead centre in the Med with Sicily 62 miles to the north and North Africa 180 miles to the south.

Currency: Maltese Lira but it is affectionately referred to as a pound (English influences abound).

Climate: Fantastically hot. While were were there in July temperatures reached 30 deg c in the shade.

Look out for: Mosquitos. Wear an insect repellent when walking out at night and use a plug-in repellent in your hotel room.

Size: Malta is the largest of the Maltese islands and covers 95 square miles. Gozo is a mere 27 square miles. Combined the islands are no bigger than the Isle of Wight.

Language: Although the official language is Maltese, children learn English at home and even take their examinations in English.

ROUGH GUIDE TO PRICES

Pint of local beer: 60c (with the current exchange rate that is roughly 90p).

Burger and chips: 1 lire 50c.

Ferry from Malta to Gozo: 1 lire 75c.

Ticket to the cinema: 2 lire 75c.

Average three-course meal in a five-star restaurant: 12 lire.

More basic meal in a tourist area: 8 lire.

Good bottle of wine in a restaurant: 5 lire.

Average bottle of wine in restaurant: 3 lire 50c.

Loaf of bread in supermarket: 15c

Litre of milk in a supermarket: 26c.

Good bottle of wine in a supermarket: 4 lire 50c.

Markets: Valletta's Merchants Street market is open every day. The biggest market is the one at St James Ditch, just outside Valletta and the most picturesque at Marsaxlokk. Both are held on Sunday mornings.

Getting to Malta: Air Malta operates regularly from Manchester Airport.

Electricity supply: The same as ours so no need for two-point adaptors.

Getting about: Buses in Malta are incredibly inexpensive. A few cents will take you just about anywhere on the island so it is well worth exploring.

Hotel accommodation: A week all inclusive at the Hotel Fortina with Belleair in June this year cost from £609 per person.

Do not forget to take: Insight Pocket Guide to Malta including a pull-out map (£7.99) and Insight Fleximap and travel information (£4.99). Also, try Avon skin-so-soft woodland fresh spray (fantastic for repelling mosquitos).

For more information: Belleair Holidays on 020 8785 3266 and Malta Tourism Authority on 020 7292 4900. Air Malta reservations on 0845 607 3710