Millennium cash for sandsculpting teacher who perfected his skills on beaches of Majorca

A former Majorca beach bum has been given £5'000 by the Millennium Commission to share his sandsculpting skills. Steve Grace's students will expect to learn how to go one better than the traditional sandcastle, because their teacher's portfolio of work includes a school of dolphins and a recreation of the Last Supper. The 36-year-old, from Walton, in Liverpool, learned the tricks of trade while working Majorca and Tenerife where his works of art became popular tourist attractions. “I saw some American lads doing sandsculpting on the beach and was told it was quite big in the US and Australia. I just thought 'I can do that'. “Once I started, my imagination took hold. It's great. All you need is a bucket, spade, sand and salt water to bind everything together. “At first I was upset when it was all washed away but I now accept it as part of the art,” he added. Steve, who returned to Merseyside following the birth of his daughter Ellemay, now two, said his work has been featured on both German and Spanish television. He says his most impressive sculptures include a statue of the religious figure Madonna (not the pop star) and a recreation of the D-Day landings.