The euro and the changeover process is being targeted by vandals and burglars - the information booth in Valletta was vandalised while a number of laptops were stolen from two euro centres.

National Euro Changeover Committee executive director Alan Camilleri said the information booth, which is dispensing important information about the new currency, had been damaged as someone appears to have tried to force it open.

"At this sensitive moment, it seems that there are people who want to stop the spread of information on the euro to fellow citizens. This is a sad situation," he said.

Mr Camilleri also said that two euro centres in different villages had been targetted by thieves who seized a number of laptops.

"This crippled the work we carry out at grassroots level. Consumers and retailers use these centres for information," he said.

Both cases are being investigated by the police.