The four metre by two metre sandcastle took four days to build, on the beach where visitors to the Olympic and Paralympics will have the chance to enjoy a range of festivals, attractions and free events.

The Olympic rings have been engraved into the sandcastle, which includes the inscription '100 days to go'.

Images of the sandcastle are now being sent around the world with the message that Weymouth and Portland is ready to welcome the world.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy where Olympic and Paralympic action will take place this summer is barely a mile from Portland castle, one of the finest coastal forts built under Henry VIII, and which played a key role in Britain's fighting during the First and Second World Wars.


The beach at Weymouth is set to be transformed into "Weymouth and Portland Live" this summer, with 15,000 visitors a day enjoying sailing and other sports events for free, with two giant 60 square metre screens being erected at the site.

Adjacent to that will be an interactive sports arena with up to 2,000 people having the chance to sail, or try other sports such as football, rugby, volleyball, cricket, bowling and kayaking.

There will be theatre, earth science and art among other cultural events as part of the Cultural Olympiad on Weymouth's beach.

Simon Williams, head of Weymouth and Portland 2012 operations, said: "We are getting ready to welcome the world to Weymouth and Portland for the Olympic sailing competition.

"Excitement here is mounting as in just 100 days our golden sands will welcome visitors from across the globe to enjoy the greatest show on earth.

"We built the castle to highlight that we are offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the London 2012 Games by the sea.

"There are so many events, attractions and festivals on that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

"Our sandcastle is a lot of fun and it has been beamed around the world to show people what a fabulous place Weymouth, Portland and Dorset's world heritage, Jurassic Coast is."


Five-year-old Gracie Tourgout was among a number of children fascinated by the castle, and remarked: "It is huge.

"I can't believe it is so big.

"It is making me really excited about the Olympic Games and I love the flags!"

Also on offer to visitors this summer is the Bayside Festival, which will feature live music and entertainment, and a stunt display team putting on sporting displays, among a range of other attractions.

Weymouth Sea Life Tower also opens in July and will offer visitors the chance to see the sailing waters and the Jurassic Coast, a world heritage site.

Sailing this summer will take place at Weymouth and Portland from July 29 to August 11 during the Olympics, and the Paralympic competition will be from September 1 to 6.

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