Traditional local products, such as honey and lace, yesterday exchanged hands through the use of euros, as people practised using the currency at a "euro village" in Birkirkara.

The venue was L-Istazzjon garden, where people gathered to get used to handling the euro before it becomes Malta's currency in January.

Musicians played in the background as scores of people of all ages roamed the stalls that sold traditional Maltese and Gozitan delicacies and artisan products such as lace, paintings and sculptures.

Books and toys were also among the items for sale while kiosks offered snacks and refreshments.

Children were entertained by a clown or played on the swings and in a bouncy castle as they carried aloft the yellow euro-themed balloons that decorated the garden in their hundreds.

Charlene Agius and Marvin Borg, who operated a drinks kiosk, said that by now they were used to dealing in euros. However, their customers, especially the older ones, often asked them the equivalent in Maltese liri, mostly when they were given change.

The euro village is a two-day event organised by The National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC) with the support of Bank of Valletta.

The aim was to give people the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the euro.

Today the garden - which is being refurbished through EU funds - will be taken over by schoolchildren who can learn more about the new currency. It will be open between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The BOV branch near the garden, that yesterday was open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., will today be open between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to allow people to exchange their liri into euros at the fixed convergence rate of €1 to Lm0.429300.

The money circulated at the euro village consists of euros from countries already in the eurozone because Maltese coins will not be legal tender before next year. Enthusiasts will have to wait at least till December 1, when the first euro kits will be available to the public.