A walk-through crib is to be built at the Auberge de Castille by the students of Handaq Secondary School.

The Office of the Prime Minister said the crib will recall the Nativity in Bethlehem and also highlight the meaning of Christmas for young people today.

The structures forming part of the crib will start from the Castille stairs and lead up to the main halls.

Steel bars and recyclable materials will be used for the figures representing the Holy Family.

The sheep will be made of wood and recycled paper.

A 'dark room' will be set up between the Ambassadors Hall and the Cabinet Hall, where an audio-visual presentation will be delivered on young people's views of Christmas.

The crib will be inaugurated on December 11.

This will be the fourth year that a crib will be opened for viewing at Castille .

A Neapolitan crib was presented by Fr Edgar Vella in 2007 while the nuns of St Ursola Monastery were responsible for the crib of 2008, also made of recyclable material.

The crib last year was presented by the members of the Society of Christian Doctrine (Museum).

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning visited Handaq school to see the students at work on the crib. He also visited other sections of the school.