Up to 50 teams will battle it out for cash prizes at the Bermuda Sandcastle Competition next month.

Hannah Strang, organiser of the competition, said: “The event will be an exciting competition for the teams involved and we encourage the public to come and see the sandcastles being built.”

A top prize of $500 will go to the most impressive sandcastle, with more cash up for grabs in other categories, including families, children, teenagers and visitors.

Hamilton Princess and Beach Club and Alexandra Mosher Studio Jewellery were announced as joint title sponsors of the event yesterday.

Additional sponsorship is provided by the Oil group of companies and drinks will be supplied by John Barritt and Sons.

Visitors can win $500 worth of gift vouchers for the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club, which can be used at the restaurants and bars at the resort or at the Exhale Spa.

The visitors category is open to people on vacation in Bermuda at the time of the competition, whether they are staying at Hamilton Princess and Beach Club, another hotel or with friends or family. Free sandcastle workshops and tutorials will be offered at Horseshoe Bay Beach on Saturday and the following Thursday and Friday, from 5.30pm.

The competition is free to enter and teams can register online at www.sandcastle.bm.

There is also an online sign-up station at Alexandra Mosher’s store at 5 Front Street, Hamilton.

The number of spaces for teams is limited, so early booking is encouraged.

Any questions about the event can be sent to hello@sandcastle.bm.

The competition will be held on September 1 and competitors must check in between 9.30am and noon. Building will start at 10am.

Each team will be assigned a building plot of 10ft by 10ft and will be supplied with a large mound of sand to work with to give them a head start.

All sandcastle building tools must be downed by 4pm, when the judges will arrive on the beach and commence judging.

The panel of judges includes architect Lynne Matcham, Jamal Hart from Youth Sport and Recreation, and Nzingha Ming from the Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery.