An erosion shield for a wind turbine blade is described, the erosion shield having a plurality of layers of erosion resistant material. The layers of erosion resistant material have an adhesive bond strength between adjacent layers less than the cohesive tensile strength of the layers, such that the outer layers of erosion resistant material are arranged to peel away or delaminate from the erosion shield under the action of the wind once the particular layer is ruptured or eroded. This dynamic removal of the outer layers of the erosion shield provides for increased shield lifetime, and a reduction in the maintenance operations required for a wind turbine blade having such an erosion shield.