BBC?S Six O?Clock News co-presenter George Alagiah spoke movingly of his early impressions of Africa and his more recent experiences as the BBC?s Africa Correspondent in the 1990s when he appeared at the Wharf recently.

The event, which was a sell-out, was sponsored by the Friends of the Wharf. The audience enjoyed an entertaining and enlightening evening.

Born in Sri Lanka, George?s family moved to Ghana when he was a boy, before moving to the UK. Before joining the BBC he spent seven years in print journalism. He has contributed to a wide range of

documentaries and features, covering subjects of national and international interest. He has interviewed many prominent world figures, including Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Yasser Arafat and Tariq Aziz.

George?s first book ?A Passage to Africa? was published in 2001 and won an award.

Jean Howard, chairman of the Friends of the Wharf, said: ?I am delighted with the way the evening went, particularly as George gave up an evening of his holiday to be with us.?