A UAE sheikh has carved his name in sand so big it can be seen from space.

Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, has had the word HAMAD added to the landscape of the south of Al Futaisi island – south west of Abu Dhabi.

The letters are close to 500 metres high, and the name measures 3.2km across.

It can now be seen by satellites in space as well as Google Earth, media in the UK reported.

Sheikh Hamad is known as the Rainbow Sheikh for his penchant for bright colours.

He has a car collection that includes more than 200 vehicles and includes a five-metre high replica of a Dodge Power Wagon and a see-through disco car, all of which are housed in a pyramid-shaped museum.