It has nine million inhabitants, it's the size of Italy and its chief exports include bauxite and the West Ham footballer Titi Camara.

And on Sunday, the Republic of Guinea overlooked the more sumptious surroundings of Grosvenor Square to open its first ever London consulate in Brent Street, Hendon.

The Guinean General Consul, Keita Lansana, apparently chose the location because of the affection still felt by most Guineans for the illustrious British wartime leader, Winston Churchill.

"People in Guinea love Churchill," said Zeinab Camara, the consul's secretary. "So that's why we chose Churchill House. He was such a hero in the Second World War, we learnt that at school. When the consul saw it here, he just said we should move here."

Guinea's minister for foreign affairs, Francois Fall, travelled from Guinea to officiate at the opening ceremony on Sunday.

Mr Lansana said: "The event on Sunday was very successful because a lot of people from the Guinean community came. Everyone was here together for the opening and they were happy to have a home for Guinean people in England.

"I was also very pleased Mr Fall, the foreign minister, could come. He had a very tight schedule, but he left everything to come here.

"We hope to set up good relations and attract more business to Guinea through being here."

There are currently only four members of staff at the consulate on Brent Street, but this number will expand to include three more employees from Guinea who are expected to arrive in a couple of months.

The Republic of Guinea does not have an embassy in London, and until recently has had no need for a consulate, which deals mainly with distributing visas to tourists, and renewing passports for Guinean nationals.

However, the number of Guineans in England has increased recently.

Around 500 Guineans live in England and around half that number in London, most of them being students learning English. Miss Camara said that since moving to Hendon in early June, the consulate has seen between two and three visa applications each day and the number of British visitors wanting to visit Guinea is rising rapidly, as more and more tourists are lured by its good weather and stunning beaches.

She said the staff were pleased to settle in their new base in Hendon as they like to be outside of London, and because it is easier to park.

"We had an honorary home in Grosvenor Square for a few months before moving here," said Miss Camara, "but Hendon's a good place to be."

July 17, 2002 18:30