Wellington may claim to being the middle of Middle-earth but it is now also the proud owner of a world record for the most sandcastles built in an hour.
Locals helped construct 1523 sandcastles at Lyall Bay on Sunday that met the grade - 241 failed the test - to smash the previous record of 683 set at Scarborough in England in August.
To be given the thumbs up by Guinness World Record scrutineers the sandcastles had to be 60cm by 60cm, include four turrets that did not crumble and survive for an hour.
More than $5000 was raised for The Neonatal Trust at the event.
NZN