HSBC has sponsored the restoration of five niches in Santa Venera as part of its scheme to offer financial support to Local Councils to complete projects which benefit the community.

The decades-old stone niches were restored by students in MCAST’s Heritage Masonry Skills course, under the supervision of Heritage Malta. Works have been going on since last April. The religious niches of St Rocco, St Paul, St George, St Joseph and the Sacred Heart are now back in place.

Santa Venera Mayor Elizabeth Vella said: “These restoration works come at a significant cost for our Local Council which, given other priorities, we wouldn’t have met without HSBC’s support.”

“Heritage is part of a locality’s identity and HSBC acknowledges its significance to the community,” said Anthony Buttigieg, HSBC’s Northern Area Director. “HSBC’s scheme to assist Local Councils financially to carry out projects in the locality was launched precisely with this in mind.”