Weymouth's Christmas Day cross harbour swim held

This is the 66th year the 73m (239ft) swim has been held

Pantomime dame Fanny started several races which totalled 249 swimmers

About 250 swimmers have taken part in Dorset's annual Christmas Day cross harbour swim.

Four races were held in the 66th, 73m-long (239ft) swim from the Old Rooms Inn to the Royal Dorset Yacht Club in Weymouth.

The event, organised by Weymouth and Portland Lions Club, raised more than £10,000 in entry fees and donations.

Organiser Mark Lockie said this year's races were some of the busiest in the event's history.

Two pub landlords started the event in 1947 and last year it attracted 237 swimmers.

Mr Lockie said: "The average water temperature is about 8C although it has been as low as 5C - but the swimmers were not deterred and took on the challenge.

"There was also great support from the public too this year, with around 4,000 watching on."

The event featured a family fun swim, two competitive swims for under 16s, a competitive ladies swim and an open competitive swim, which received 50 entries.