€12,000 were raised today in the traditional auction among teams wishing to carry the statue of Sta Marija at this evening's feast in Mgarr.

It was made clear before the start of proceedings that a quarter of the proceeds would be donated to a charity - the Hospice Movement.

The auction raised €5,000 last year, compared to €11,500 in 2013 and around €5,000 in 2012.  

As in the past, the auction was held in the shadow of the parish church after Angelus at the stroke of noon.

The tradition dates back to 1923, when feast participants were asked to make a contribution to cover a deficit in the previous year's feast.

Today's winners was a team led by Wistin Vella, a longstanding participant in the auction. Three teams took part.

Parish Priest Fr Kalcidon Vassallo stressed that this was not an auction in the full sense of the word. No one would take the statue of Sta Marija home, but what those carrying the statue would get was 'a journey with Our Lady'.

He said that other people who wished to carry the statue would still be able to do so for part of the way.