Dolores Cristina, Acting President of Malta, meanwhile, has presented the winners of the Save Valletta Skyline Children's art competition with their winning certificates at a ceremony at San Anton Palace in the presence of their families, teachers and their friends.

The winners, out of almost 200 entries, are as follows:

Age 5-8 years

Winner            Sven Azzopardi (Age 8)

Runner-up       Dorothea Vosyle (Age 6)

Runner-up       Sophie Gonzi (Age 6)

Age 9-11 years

Winner            Harriet Diggle (Age 11)

Runner-up       Kade Farrugia (Age 9)

Runner-up       Kylie Vella (Age 10)

Age 12-16 years

Winner            Isabelle Rizzo (Age 12)

Runner-up       George Sheehan (Age 13)

Runner-up       Giulia Demarco (Age 14)

Special Prize for the face of the competition

Jake Dimech

After an enthusiastic take-up of the Save Valletta Skyline Children's art competition, which was organised in aid of the St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral Restoration Appeal, the organising committee had great pleasure in announcing the winners and runners-up in the three different age categories that were identified in the presence of the Acting President of Malta. 

The Acting President extended her warm appreciation and thanks to all those art teachers, parents, friends and family who encouraged so many children to take part in the competition and congratulated all the entrants for their creativity that had directly contributed to the St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral Restoration Appeal. She said the competition had highlighted the immense value of preserving Valletta's architectural heritage and the children's paintings and drawing had reflected this well.

The judges of the competition, who gave their time freely, are themselves artists of note, namely Norbert Attard and James Vella Clark. Norbert and James spent considerable time judging all the submissions, being overwhelmed by the high standard of artwork. "This made judging the paintings and drawing somewhat challenging!" said Attard. Vella Clark added: "I was completely unaware that my son had entered but was delighted to see his lively painting."  

Sir Martin Laing, co-chairman of the Restoration Appeal, said that holding the art competition had been a wonderful initiative. He thanked Lucy Paterson and Michele O'Brien for their hard work in organising the competition and the children and their teachers for having participated so enthusiastically and creatively. He said: "For those parents and children who had not been present to meet the Acting President, they would be able to see their paintings in a glossy new book entitled Young eyes on Valletta, which will include all the paintings that had been submitted. The book will be on sale on Wednesday, 2 December at 11am at St Paul's Undercroft, Café at St Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Valletta." 

In addition Matthias Balzan's painting has been chosen for a commemorative Christmas card.

Three paintings that had been chosen to present to HRH the Prince of Wales on his visit to St Paul's Pro Cathedral on 4 October were made by Jacques Vella (12), Anna Sheehan (11) and Sarah Gatt (11).

The Committee also chose a number of pictures for a Highly Commended Category:

Age 5-8 years: Nicholas Mark (8), Elizabeth Mizzi (7), Ryan Callus (7), Neil Camilleri (7), Carl Mallia (8), Francesco Vella Clark (6)

Age 9-11 years: Emily Camilleri (11), Mariah Azzopardi (11), Gabriel Azzopardi (10), Katrina Formosa (11), Michela Delicata (10), Aimee Jade Galea (11)

Age 12-16 years: Alana Clements (16), Juliana Zammit (13), Kristina Barbara (11), Sasha Paris (13), Carston Mifsud D'Anastas (11), Eric Borg (12)

Please refer to the Save Valletta Skyline Facebook page for more details