HSBC made a donation to St Claire College, Sliema Primary C, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year, to restore the shelter it houses, dating back to World War II.

The first phase of the rehabilitation has been completed and the shelter is now open to the public by appointment.

The bank's contribution went towards surveying the existing passages and drawing-up plans - a crucial exercise to ensure safety before the shelter could be opened. In the second phase, the school will be adding safety railings and lighting to the shelter.

During the war, the school was a strategic location, as it housed the Air-Raid Precaution (ARP) headquarters. ARP officers were responsible for alerting people of airraids and ensuring they took shelter.

The ARP also patrolled the streets during black-outs and delivered first-aid after bombings. During air-raids, the ARP continued their operations from the school shelter, as evidenced by telephone lines found there.

During the war, the shelter had three entrances: one through Blanche Street; another through the school yard; and a third, the only valid entrance today, through a flight of stairs next to what is now the school's main hall.