Fife beach is backdrop for new BBC show to find our greatest sand sculptors

Race Against the Tide features seven teams battling to build spectacular sand sculptures before the tide washes them away.

The six-part series, which launches on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in August, takes place on the West Sands, St Andrews.

Hosted by Scottish comedian Iain Stirling, it features teams each made up of a professional sand sculptor and a complete newbie to the craft, all battling against the clock.

With just six hours before the tide rolls in, the teams must transform tonnes of sand into spectacular themed creations while battling the clock, the weather and each other.

And with the weight of the sand and the ever-approaching tide, there's always the risk that both nerves and sculptures could collapse under the pressure!

While beach-ready Iain keeps the contestants entertained with plenty of sand puns along the way, he also has the important job of keeping an eye on the ever-ticking clock.

As the tide creeps closer, he waves the yellow flag to signal the halfway point before raising the red flag when just ten minutes remain, leaving teams in a race to finish their creations before the sea claims them!

Judging the sculptures are acclaimed artist and sculptor Sadie Clayton and internationally renowned sand sculptor Jamie Wardley. Together, they'll be looking for outstanding technical skill, creativity, storytelling and, above all, that all-important wow factor before the tide sweeps each masterpiece away forever.

At the end of every challenge, one team earns the title of ‘Sand Champions’, while another pair must leave the beach. After six epic builds, only one team will be crowned the first-ever Race Against the Tide champions.

The competing newbies come from a wide range of backgrounds, including a leather craftsman, cake decorator, plasterer, stationery designer, carpenter, art teacher and fine art student.

Iain said: "I'm shore audiences are going to love Race Against the Tide! It's got everything you could want from a summer show – stunning Scottish scenery, incredible creativity, and, of course, more sand puns than anyone asked for. I can't wait for everyone to see what these teams create.

David Marshall, creative director of Tern Television, said: "People know St Andrews as the Home of Golf.

“We reckon it's about time it became the home of giant sandcastles too. Race Against the Tide is funny, feel-good and might just be the greenest entertainment format in the world. It's exactly the kind of bold, returnable entertainment that we're investing in as Tern enters its next chapter.”

Steve Allen, commissioning executive at BBC Scotland said: We're delighted to be bringing Race Against the Tide to audiences this August.

“ The series combines creativity, teamwork and real jeopardy against the spectacular backdrop of one of Scotland's most iconic locations, West Sands Beach in St Andrews. It's a feel-good competition that celebrates imagination and the great outdoors, and we're sure it will bring a little extra sunshine to audiences this summer."

Race Against the Tide is the first UK adaptation of the hit format created by Blue Ant Studios, originally produced for CBC in Canada.