Swimmers brave cold waters for Boxing Day tradition

Crowds of swimmers have braved the cold waters of the English Channel for a festive dip in the sea.

The Ventnor Boxing Day swim is an annual tradition on the Isle of Wight.

The conditions were good for the swim, which began at midday.

The event, which has run since 1980, draws hundreds of spectators to Ventnor, the island's most southernmost beach.

It has been used as a way to raise money for local cancer charity P.A.T.C.H and the Ventnor Carnival.