The Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry said yesterday there had been a huge response by the public to the tree planting initiative at the weekend. The aim was to counter the vandalism last May at the Foresta 2000 site in Mellieha, when some 3,000 trees were destroyed.

The ministry said the public response had been exceptional. Many more trees than were destroyed had been made available and would be planted over the coming weeks. Expressing his appreciation, Environment Minister George Pullicino saw the response as a positive message for the environment and against vandalism.