Giant Weymouth sandcastle to mark 100 days to go pulled down over H&S fears

A giant sandcastle constructed on Weymouth Beach to mark 100 days to the start of London 2012 has been dismantled over health and safety fears.

The sandcastle, which measured 4m x 2m and took four days to build, was demolished straight after the photo shoot. Weymouth Council, which is hosting the sailing events, had health and safety concerns and wished to avoid security costs as it believed that the sculpture would need manning.

Weymouth beach will be transformed into Weymouth and Portland Live where up to 15,000 visitors a day will enjoy the sailing and other London 2012 events for free. Two giant 60 square metres screens will broadcast live BBC coverage of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Next to the live site there will be an interactive sports arena where up to 2,000 people will get the chance to try sports including sailing, football, rugby, volleyball, cricket, bowling and kayaking.

The beach will also be the focal point for many cultural events taking place as part of the ‘Maritime Mix London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea’. The Cultural Olympiad includes theatre, earth science and art, open-air mass choir performances, video projections, art, music and more.

Visitors to Weymouth will also be able to enjoy the Bayside Festival.