The Bank of Valletta branch at the Preluna Hotel in Sliema has been reopened, the bank said.

A section of the media had reported that the Bank of Valletta Sliema branch at the Preluna Hotel had been closed due to a "rat infestation" but the bank later clarified that the source of the smell was traced to one dead rat.

In a statement this morning the bank said the branch had reopened for business. “The branch needed to be closed down temporarily on Wednesday 2nd September to allow urgent unexpected works to be carried out within the premises.

Whilst apologising for any inconvenience caused, the Bank would like to thank its customers for their cooperation over the past days.”