TV actor Charles Dale goes from Casualty to crazy in his home town tomorrow (Saturday) when he signals the start of Tenby’s Boxing Day Swim.

Charles, currently appearing as porter Big Mac in the BBC hospital drama, will be giving the go-ahead to hundreds of bathers to sprint for the sea in the spectacle which is now ranked as one of Britain’s festive highlights.

A musical theme is being sounded out for tomorrow's swim with the fancy-dress theme of Seasonal Songs, and Charles’ dad — well-known local entertainer Laurie Dale — will also be on hand to judge the special category for the best fancy-dressed singing group.

Fun on Tenby’s North Beach begins at 11am, with a round-Goscar raft race and dinghy, canoe and longboat races. Weather permitting, there will also be the launch of Tenby’s lifeboats — the all-weather Haydn Miller and the new inshore craft, the Georgina Taylor.

Swimmers take to the sea at 11.30am, and emerge from the chilly water to be presented with a commemorative medal and warm up around the beach bonfire.

The swim is sponsored by FBM Holidays and organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association, whose headline charities this year are: Pembroke-shire Stroke Club, the Hope multiple sclerosis therapy centre, Pembrokeshire Special Needs Gymnastics Club, Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice for Wales and Leukaemia Research, Tenby and district branch.

Swimmers can also be sponsored for their own chosen charities.

Sponsor forms are available from www.tenby boxingdayswim.co.uk or the Fourcroft Hotel, Tenby.