Italian experts will in the coming days analyse the structural state of St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral in order the establish the best course of action required to save Valletta's iconic 60-metre spire.

The team from SOING in Italy, working under the overall direction of leading Maltese architectural firm Architecture Project (AP), will be using a high-tech non-invasive technique to identify cracks or signs of instability in the tower that may have occurred over the past 175 years.

The work is being financed by funds from the campaign launched in February 2017 to save the pro-cathedral’s tower and spire which have deteriorated dramatically in recent years.

Prince Charles has made an undisclosed personal donation to the fund while billionaire theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh – who owns a home in Valletta – also generously contributed €100,000 to the cause. However, substantial sums are still required to achieve the campaign target of €3 million.

Read: €3m appeal to save St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral

The experts, who will be on site between Tuesday and Thursday, will require a mobile crane to be parked on Marsamxett Road to enable them to carry out their assessment between, though police will be deployed to direct traffic.

A spokesman for the project said: “The work being undertaken by SOING is a vitally important part of the process in saving the cathedral and we are delighted to have them on board. Unfortunately, the crane they require is likely to cause some disruption and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

The project to restore this outstanding landmark in Valletta progresses over the next 18 months or so.

"The cathedral authorities are deeply conscious of their responsibilities to keep the impact on people living or working in the area to the absolute minimum possible."