Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, is to launch an advertising campaign for his People of Freedom Party using posters showing his battered face.

Berlusconi, 73, suffered a fractured nose, two broken teeth and severe cuts to his gums and lips when he was hit in the face with a souvenir of Milan's cathedral following a rally in the city earlier this month.

The media tycoon wants to recruit one million news members for his party and the campaign will involve thousands of posters on billboards with the slogan: "Love always wins over hate".

The Italian prime minister has enjoyed a wave of sympathy since being struck in the face by Massimo Tartaglia, a 42-year-old with a history of mental health problems.

Italy faces regional elections in the spring, and in a letter to party workers Mr Berlusconi said: "I am back at work for the good of the country. Many things need to be done to change our Italy for the better.

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