An international team of sand sculptors is attempting to build the world's largest sandcastle in Germany.

The team is hoping to create a 15.50-meter (50.8-foot) sandcastle in the West German city of Duisburg.

If successful, Germany would snatch the title from India, where a team of almost 50 people built a 14.84-meter (48.8-foot) castle emblazoned with the words "world peace" earlier this year.

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The German team suffered a setback last week when a large section of the castle collapsed. But organizers were optimistic that it wouldn't be a repeat of last year when a major collapse ended their record bid.

In light of the latest collapse, the team hopes to use a narrower design. 

The sculptors started with a base that measures 20 by 35 meters (82 by 115 feet) and will use 3,500 metric tons (3,860 US tons) of sand in the whole project.

The design features architectural and cultural elements from around the world, including a giant Buddha, the Colosseum and the Acropolis.

Guinness World Record officials will measure the completed castle on September 1, after which the public will be able to visit until September 24.

The attempt is being funded by a travel company, which has built an artificial beach in the park. The sand castle is being built in the Landscape Park, a former industrial site where disused ironworks loom over visitors.