A MASSIVE piece of art has been sculpted into sand by an East Lancashire company to mark this year's Grand National.

The Rossendale business has produced the work, which has been hailed as one of the world's largest pieces of sand art, to promote the annual event's headline sponsor.

The Crabbie's Ginger Beer logo was created in the sands of Lytham beech by HD Signs earlier this week and measures more than 1600 square meters, The company printed a giant stencil in their headquarters in Holme Bank, Rawtenstall, and then used rakes in the sand to produce the end result.

The team of five started work at 6.30am to meet their client’s deadline and race against the incoming tide.

Managing director Jan Korab said: "It was a rush job in every sense.

“We only learned about the project a week ago and we had to scout for suitable locations over the Easter period, as well as manufacturing the stencil.

“Then the team on the beac

h only had a limited time to make it work. It’s on an impressive scale. As well as the race sponsor’s logo we created some horses hooves leading up to it and they were eight meters wide.

“We managed to get it all done in time and everyone was happy with the result. It’s a shame it’s now been washed away.”

HD Signs, which is part of the Linemark group, is a specialist in signage and graphics offers everything from commercial and stadium signage through to surface graphics.

It has recently won contracts with British Superbikes and the National Cycling Centre.

In 2010 it produced the world’s largest poster, which was used to promote the release of Michael Jackson’s ‘Michael’ album.

It measured 171ft by 170ft with a total surface area of 29,070 ft.

Cllr Patrick Marriott, who represents part of Rawtenstall on Rossendale Borough Council, said: "It's great that a company from the town was able to secure this contract.

"It's not only obviously good exposure for Crabbie's and the Grand National but also for HD Signs."

HD Signs specialises in corporate, retail and sports advertising solutions.

The company uses the latest manufacturing and printing technology and has its own in-house design and manufacturing capabilities.