Charity calls off Christmas swim

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Last year the event attracted more than 100 swimmers and raised thousands of pounds

A Christmas day charity swim in the North Sea has been cancelled due to rising costs.

Organisers blamed the cost of health and safety measures for calling off the event which was becoming a tradition in the resort of Southwold in Suffolk.

The event needed £10m public liability insurance, police and a lifeboat. In addition the presence of lifeguards was required but none could be found.

Charity Marie Curie were to organise the swim and benefit from funds raised.

This year would have been the fifth year the event has taken place. Last year 130 people took the plunge for charity on Christmas day.

Judith Hall, fundraising manager for Norfolk and Suffolk, said: "Marie Curie Cancer Care will not be organising a swim in Southwold on Christmas Day this year because of health and safety issues."

The charity is looking into the possibility of organising a different event in the town later next year.