The government is to plant 10 trees in Valletta for every tree just removed from in front of the Auberge de Castille, Valletta Mayor Alexei Dingli has said.

Four trees have been removed, fully exposing the spectacular façade of the auberge for the first time in generations.

Mr Dingli said up to 40 trees will be planted in Valletta, mostly in Hastings Garden.

He explained that the decision to remove the trees was taken after one of them was damaged by wind and another was showing symptoms of disease.

“The city achieved a double deal out of this. The façade of Castille is completely visible again, and Valletta will become greener,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Rescources Ministry said a clean-up of the facade of the building and the Merchants' Street and St Paul Street sides is due to be taken in hand in the coming months.

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