The worlds tallest sandcastle, standing at 20.91m, has been built at Almeerderzand in the Netherlands.

The sandcastle is as tall as 10-floor apartment block and took more than 50 people three weeks to build.

Using only sand and water an expert team carved 16,000 tonnes of sand into sculptures on a fairytale theme, with the record-breaking castle towering above princesses, elves and giants.

The sand itself is made of riverbed sand, not beach sand, and it was brought to the beach by the lorry-load at the beginning of the summer.

Bulldozer

River sand is less prone to erosion than beach sand, which means that the sandcastle should last longer.

The whole construction is so strong in fact that they will eventually have to be bulldozed.

The sandcastle smashed the last world record of 19.74m, held by a sand sculpting team from San Diego, by more than a metre.

"I'm really proud of the achievement of all those who joined in the whole event," said sand carver Dave Willi.

Professional team

The professional team of carvers that completed the castle work throughout the summer on sculptures on various themes.

This summer they will create sculptures across Europe and as far away as China.

In August the carvers move to Zeebrugge in Belgium to recreate the land of the dinosaurs.