The sphinx sits protectively in front of the pyramids

Sixty artists spent two weeks creating the giant sculptures after 10,000 tons of specially-imported sand was shipped from Holland to the Sussex city.

A team of 10 people will start removing the sand from the site on Monday and it will be stored at an undisclosed site.

Nearly 200,000 people visited the Sand Festival over the summer.

Michelle Lamb, spokeswoman for the organisers of the event, said even the rain had not put off visitors from coming along.

She said the event had been very successful and talks were already being held about the possibility of it being held again next year at the same location.

"We've actually had lots of interest from other towns and cities who would like us to stage a similar event," she told the BBC News Website.