allaboutwomen

But not as we know it. I'm talking about the mega-ambitious property development in Dubai that planned to create a gigantic global map out of hundreds of man-made islands in the sea all in the shape of the various countries of the world. It would be visible from space.

According to an ongoing property tribunal in Dubai, The World is sinking as the sands of the individual islands are eroding and the series of channels dug out to separate the luxury homes are silting up.

It followed on the heels of a series of spalm-shaped offshore development built in the middle of the sea on which villas were given, or even bought, by such property role models as David Beckham and Michael Owen (pictured).

But unlike Palm Jumeirah, the only one which is near completion, although 70% of the 300 islands of The World have been sold, development has ground to a halt because of the financial crisis. Ironically, the only island that is inhabited in this scorching hot Middle East folly is Greenland, one of the coldest countries on earth.

And it's owner? The ruler of Dubai, who lives there as the centrepiece of some sort of bonkers show-home.

So as King Neptune slowly reclaims what is rightfully his, could this be the end of the Dubai property surge? Maybe. If you consider the latest 'shock news' that former cricket star Freddie Flintoff is wanting to return home from his short-lived exile in the Gulf state because he can't watch Corrie, then you'd have to bet that this is the end.

And not just of The World, but of all the other daft ideas conjured up by Dubai chancers looking to grift a few bucks off the mega-wealthy.