The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has said that the greatest way to honour the legacy of David Livingstone is to continue the fight against human trafficking.

The Right Reverend Lorna Hood was speaking today at a special service in Glasgow Cathedral celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the explorer.

"There could be no greater commemoration of his life and work, than in the continued fight against the evils of the modern day slave trade, the human trafficking of people particularly women and girls. If he were alive today, Livingstone would urge us to continue the fight," she said.

She admitted that Livingstone was not perfect but added that the modern world could be too quick to judge his life and work.

She said: "Angry at the slave trade which he saw as the open sore of Africa, he sought to stimulate a new economy in central and southern Africa which would render the slave trade redundant.

"Indeed his campaign against the slave trade became an unstoppable force. He was truly a man who had the courage of his convictions.

"David Livingstone lived up to his calling spreading the good news to the ends of the earth, loving his neighbour and being a true 'bearer of hope' for the people of Africa."

The thanksgiving service was held jointly hosted by the Church of Scotland, David Livingstone 200, EMMS International and the Scottish Bible Society.