Updated: Thu Aug. 07 2008 16:18:42

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The sand sculpture capital of the world has been terrorized by vandals.

Police in Harrison Hot Springs say someone hopped the protective fence around the beach at Harrison Lake and kicked in nine of the world-famous sand sculptures around 1 a.m. Tuesday.

The damage wasn't discovered until later that morning.

There is normally 24-hour security at the site, but the guards didn't see anything.

Damages are said to be in the neighbourhood of $120,000 if repairs can't be made on the structures - which require up to 100 man hours to build.

The sculptures are on display throughout the summer, but organizers say ticket sales for the competition have dropped since the vandalism.

RCMP spokesperson Tara Harrington says police are investigating a few footprints in the sand close to the damaged sculptures and believe there may be more than one culprit.

Sculptors from all over the world show off their skills as the annual Harrison Hot Springs' World Championships of Sand Sculpture competition.

The event draws as many as 40,000 tourists to the area each year and has lead to three, progressively-higher Guinness' World Records for the world's highest sandcastle.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Agassiz RCMP's Const. Westra at 604-796-2211 or call 1-800-222-TIPS.

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