Engineers in Dubai have begun work on a record-breaking fountain that will shoot a jet of water higher than a 50-storey building.

The Burj Dubai Lake is set to add one more extravagant finishing touch to the world's tallest building.

Due to be completed in 2009, the fountain will propel 22,000 gallons of water 490ft into the air at any one time.

Impressive: A computer-generated design of the world's tallest fountain in Dubai

The spectacular feature will draw water from a man-made lake the size of two football pitches in length.

More than 6,600 lights will 'perform' selected musical pieces in time with the jets of water on the 30-acre lake.

Predicting more than 10 million visitors annually, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of developer Emaar Properties, said the fountain was over 25 per cent bigger than its only rival at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas.

'The fountain on Burj Dubai Lake is more than a visual spectacle that adds to the aesthetics of Downtown Burj Dubai,' he said.

Giant: the fountain will propel 22,000 gallons of water 490ft into the air

'It is an engineering marvel and will further contribute to Dubai's rich array of tourist attractions.'

Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, has an observation deck on level 124 offering visitors unparalleled views from the top.

Other components of the new city centre that appeal to global tourists include one of the world's largest aquariums, an Olympic-sized ice rink and the largest indoor gold souk in The Dubai Mall, and a range of lifestyle events to be held at Burj Dubai Boulevard.