AN 8,000-strong crowd of spectators have welcomed in the 2015 in Saundersfoot as they watched 1,521 fancy-dressed swimmers take their annual New Year's Day dip.

Amongst them was X Factor finalist and proud Saundersfoot boy Jay James, who mingled with his many fans and had the honour of starting the event off.

The swimmers were sent on their way to the waves with a firework launch, courtesty of Westcoast Fireworks, and embraced the First World War fancy dress theme with some spectacular costumes, including poppies and a bi-plane.

This was the 31st annual Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim, which also featured a mascot race between figureheads from local attractions, including the swim's own Charlie Shivers. The prestigious Superfast Cymru trophy was lifted by Danny Dog of Heatherton Country Sports Park.

Over the years, the swim has raised over half a million pounds for charitable and worthwhile causes, with last year's alone raising more than £37,000.

For a full report and more pictures, see next week's Western Telegraph.