Records broken at New Year swim

Many of the swimmers took Saundersfoot's silver theme to heart

Hundreds of swimmers have ignored the cold snap and taken to the sea at three New Year's Day charity dips in Wales.

The swim at Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire attracted a record 1,200 strong turnout for its 25th year.

It was started by TV presenter Anna Ryder-Richardson with many swimmers in silver-themed fancy dress.

At Abersoch in Gwynedd, swimmers raised money for the lifeboat station and in Amroth, Pembrokeshire, about 30 dressed as Elvis Presley to take the plunge.

At Saundersfoot, organisers said more than 1,200 swimmers and thousands more spectators turned up for the new year dip.

Ms Ryder-Richardson, who owns a small zoo nearby, was on the beach in style in a zebra printed jeep and launched the race to the sea with the release of a giant firework.

A dragon also joined the hundreds in the icy water

Among those taking to the water were a host of "astronauts", members of Saundersfoot junior school dressed as silver stars.

One group of silver-themed swimmers even brought a silver rocket and launch pad with them.

Former Wales rugby international Mark Bennett, now the WRU's fitness co-ordinator, led the swimmers into the icy water.

The swim raised £28,000 last year and Saundersfoot Festivities chairman Martyn Williams said they had once again "exceeded expectation and have broken all records".

"Twenty five years on and this event is getting bigger and better with thousands of pounds being raised for charity, " he said.

"The people from Saundersfoot and surrounding areas have come out in force to support this marvellous event."

'Excellent opportunity'

Meanwhile, RNLI volunteers at Abersoch said the swim there had two purposes.

One was to raise much-needed funds and the other to remind people to take care when putting to sea.

The Christmas and new year period last year was the second busiest period ever for RNLI lifeboats around the Welsh coast.

Before the swim took place, Twrog Jones, of Abersoch RNLI said: "Volunteers around the Welsh coast are called away from their families at a moments notice 365 days a year to help people in difficulty.

"Our New Year's Day dip is an excellent opportunity for the public to show their appreciation for RNLI volunteers, by helping to raise the funds the charity needs to stay afloat."

In Amroth about 250 people were estimated to have watched and took part in the town's 27th annual swim, with Elvis lookalikes to the fore.