A water pump that was mistakenly dismantled from the Prime Minister's residence has now been returned, the Department of Information said in a statement today.

It said the pump was in a shaft that is accessible from Dr Gonzi's house and an adjoining property which is being demolished.

The police were called in this morning when the pump disappeared.

Investigations quickly established that the pump had been dismantled by persons involved in the demolition of the adjoining property, who thought it was the property of the owners of the house being demolished.

The pump has now been installed once more.

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