An exhibition of competing designs for a Japanese-style Bonsai garden is being held at St James Cavalier until Wednesday, with Resources Minister George Pullicino saying the need is felt in Malta for a public and open area where families can appreciate such a garden.

The designs were drawn up by fourth-year architecture students of the university, for an area next to the Argotti Garden in Floriana. Eleven students in three groups took part under the supervision of lecturer Ramon Gauci. It was won by the group made up of Nicolo Bencini, Jonathan Borg, Matthew Joseph Casha and Sergei Mikhailenko.

The other two architecture student groups were made up of Fabio Aquilina, Ruth Borg, Nadia Martinelli, Andrea Fontana, Francesca Camilleri, Marie-Clare Galea and Nicola Zammit.