Brave bathers are all set to make a big splash in Tenby this morning (Wednesday), as the town's famous Boxing Day Swim takes place on the North Beach.

Hundreds of dippers are due to stampede for the sea, with the silly spectacle watched by cheering crowds from every vantage point.

The event - one of Britain's top festive highlights - has chosen Sporting Heroes as its fancy dress theme, in tribute to a great year of sport for Pembrokeshire and the UK.

Now in its 42nd year, Tenby Boxing Day Swim raises thousands of pounds for charities and good causes. Tenby Sea Swimming Association, which organises the event, is raising funds for Meningitis UK, the Tenby and Saundersfoot branch of the NSPCC, the Tenby and District Gateway Club and PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship). Swimmers can also collect for their own chosen charities.

Sponsor forms can be downloaded from www.tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk or picked up from the Fourcroft Hotel above the North Beach.

Fun on the beach, which includes a crazy raft race and fancy dress parade, gets underway at 11am, before the plunge at 11.30am.

Swimmers are then presented with commemorative medals around a cheery beach bonfire, with soup and Santa hats being served up by food giant Heinz.

This year’s swim is sponsored by FBM Holidays and Lewis, Lewis and Co., Ltd.

For the latest news on the event, ‘like’ Tenby Boxing Day Swim on Facebook