You might be mistaken for wondering whether this is Malta or Australia.

ELC workers wearing T-shirts under a blazing sun started to put up Christmas decorations in Glormu Cassar Avenue - the road leading to Castille - this morning.

An ELC spokesman said the work had to start early because of the increased number of sites which will be decorated this year - 45.

The lights will be switched on in the second half of next month, but everything has to be in place well before that, for testing. The work is spread over a month because the workers still have to continue their regular maintenance work on roundabouts and other soft areas.

The spokesman said some new motifs will be added to the decorations this year. There will also be more nativity sets despite the occasional theft. Last year, the baby Jesus statuettes were placed in position closer to Christmas, but one was still stolen.

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