Folkestone’s annual sand castle competition returned to the Sunny Sands on Saturday, as teams went head-to-head to scoop the top prize.

The event has been ongoing for nearly a decade and this year it still attracted 13 teams.

Co-organiser Cath Mison, who is a volunteer for Folkestone Festivals, said the talent displayed was amazing.

She said: “They were all fantastic and magnificent, the inspiration and enthusiasm from them all was amazing.”

She said that spectators descended on the beach to watch the designs materialise as the hours went on.

Groups were given prizes for coming first, second and third and all contenders received ceritificates.

The Kids and Building Collective won the contest with their mayoran temple sand castle. They were awarded with a £50 bonus and a trophy.

In second place was the Sandcastle Group, who sculpted a shark and a boat.

The children could actually sit in the boat.

They won a trophy and a bottle of champagne.

In third place, was a group called Stars who based their work on designs by Antoni Gaudi.

His architectural creations can be seen in Barcelona, Spain, with his most renowned masterpiece being the Sagrada Familiain the heart of the city.

The tough judging was done by Ms Mison, managing director of Folkestone Trawlers Terry Noakes, David Harvey and Shane Record, who originally started the annual event.

The Church Start Project which offers counselling for young people, received £131, which is the amount of money raised from entry fees.

She said the trio are hoping to run the event again next year.

For more pictures, see this week's Folkestone & Hythe Express, out Wednesday.