Sand storm
Start polishing your bucket and spade, the UK's biggest sandcastle-building competition will take place in Great Yarmouth on 24 July. Teletext Holidays (www.teletextholidays.co.uk/sand.asp) will reward the 'Master of Sand' with a £1,000 holiday. A study commissioned for the event by Bournemouth University scientists found the key to a strong castle is using one part water to eight parts fine-grain sand.

Waits watchers
The fourth Waiting for Waits festival is to be held in various venues across Mallorca in July featuring American and alternative country bands. All artists must play one cover of a Tom Waits song, in the hope that one day the songwriter will visit and put an end to the event. Email waitingforwaits@yahoo.esfor more details.

Free French
Canvas Holidays (01383 629000; www.canvasholidays.co.uk) is offering free French lessons at a choice of campsites in Brittany in May and August.