Scuba Claus: Dozens of Santas dive for charity

The Santas dive in pairs and stay underwater for about 25 minutes

More than 100 scuba divers dressed in Santa Claus outfits are set to take part in a charity dive.

The event, at Vobster Quay in Radstock, Somerset, on 15 December, will raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the armed forces charity, Help for Heroes.

The organisers have raised £52,000 since the annual event started in 2007.

"Every year diving clubs and individuals from across the country converge on Vobster for a thoroughly festive and very silly scuba dive like no other," said Vobster Quay owner Amy Stanton.

"Seeing so many Santas waddling around the quayside in scuba diving gear is a truly surreal sight."

Santa hats

In 2015 there was a record attendance of 188 Santa divers all plunging into the 36-acre freshwater lake at once.

This year at least 130 are expected to brave water temperatures as low as 8C.

"Vobster Quay is normally a members-only site but for this event, every year, we throw open the gates and invite any, and all, qualified scuba divers to come along and join in the festive fun," added Ms Stanton.

"It has become a statement fixture in the UK diving calendar."

George Birch started doing the Santa dive twelve years ago

George Birch, an armed forces veteran, is also a veteran of the Santa dive, having first taken the plunge in 2012.

"You wear a dry suit with your Santa suit over the top and the organisers make sure all valves are clear of the costume so that you know you're safe," he told BBC Somerset.

"One of the biggest problems for Vobster is that in February or March they're still finding Santa hats floating around on the water where people didn't tie them on properly," he joked.

Operations manager Tim Clements said: "It's a testament to the spirit of all the participants.

"It's a great community event and it's great to see all the divers together in the winter to support good causes."

Divers of all levels are welcome to grab their Santa outfits and join the dive.