The sculptures were built with 10,000 tons of special sand

Nearly 10,000 tons - 500 lorry loads - of special sand was shipped from Holland to Brighton Marina for the festival, which lasts until September.

The sculptures, inspired by the Egyptians, were built on wasteland.

Organisers hope Brighton and Hove Council will grant permission at a meeting on Wednesday.

A council spokesman said there was a slim possibility the sculptures might be pulled down.

But organisers hope the meeting will just be a formality.

The highest pyramid, made entirely with sand and water, stands at 15m (45ft).

The sculptures are said to be able to withstand winds up to force seven and remain intact for many months.