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Hundreds brave the cold for Boxing Day swims

BBC A family seen in Christmas fancy dress stood at Paignton Seafront. There are six people in the image. One person is dressed as a Christmas tree, a second as Santa Claus while the others are dressed as Christmas elves while a sixth is seen riding a fancy dress reindeer. BBC
The swimming event in Paignton encouraged participants to wear fancy dress

Hundreds of people dressed in fancy dress have taken the plunge in Devon and Cornwall for a Boxing Day swim.

Walk Into The Sea saw between 150 and 200 people take a dip off Paignton seafront, with a further 400 spectators.

Organiser Ian Snell said the event had raised money for Paignton Lions Club and charity Free The Child.

"They're great causes, it's part of the community and we believe it is important to put back into the community," he said.

A large crowd of people wearing swimming trunks and costumes seen running across a beach towards the sea while people nearer the sea watch on.
Dozens of people run to the water in Perranporth

The event encouraged fancy dress and saw a donation of £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s.

Boxing Day swims also took place in Cornwall at Charlestown Harbour, Perranporth, Portreath, Poldhu and St Ives.

Charlestown Rowing Club chairwoman Jo Zimber said £20,000 had been raised for charity though the swim since its inception 30 years ago.

She said this year's swim saw funds donated to the National Coastwatch Institution.

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