Tenby Boxing Day charity swim attracts record 650-plus

Organisers say the mild weather meant a record number of swimmers took part in the 41st annual Tenby Boxing Day Swim.

More swimmers than ever have braved the cold at Tenby for the Pembrokeshire resort's Boxing Day swim.

Organisers say over 650 bathers took the plunge to shake off the Christmas cobwebs in the event's 41st year.

Hundreds more entered the water at Cefn Sidan Beach near Pembrey for Carmarthenshire's Walrus Dip.

On Sunday about 900 swimmers took advantage of the mild weather and took to the water further east at Porthcawl for its Christmas Day dip.

Tenby's annual swim was re-created by Tesco as part of the supermarket chain's Christmas advertising campaign.

The resort also featured in five different television programmes during 2011, prompting organisers to set the theme for this year's fancy dress as Tenby on TV.

Organiser Chris Osborne said: "The weather's been kind to us and brought out a massive crowd to fill a massive beach.

"It's been a great year for Tenby on the television and brilliant to be able to round it all off with a record-breaking swim."

The event was set to raise thousands of pounds for charity, including the swim's four nominated good causes - Pembrokeshire Cancer Support, Hafan Cymru, Cruse Bereavement Care and the Tinker's Hill Bird of Prey and Swan Rescue Centre.