A RECORD number of brave bathers plunged into the freezing sea at Whitesands beach on New Year's Day to welcome 2019.

St Davids Penknife Club organises the annual event to raise money for Pothmawr Surf Lifesaving Club and St Davids RNLI crew fund.

This year 220 registered to swim in the icy waters off Whitesands, with around another 30 turning up after registration, making a record-breaking total of 250 swimmers, almost double the usual amount.

The swim is now in its 17th year and has grown in popularity from year to year. Swimmers are supervised by Porthmawr Surf Lifesaving Club members with the city's RNLI lifeboat also present in the bay to ensure safety.

"It was very good indeed," said club member, John Williams. "It was well supported with a mixture of locals and people from all over.

"We have people who come down purely to take part while they are down here for new year."

Swimmers warmed up after the plunge with soup provided by Porthmawr Surf Lifesaving Club.

"Everybody said it went really well," said John. "Logistically we had a lot of marshals to help direct traffic and the city council let us use the overflow car park for the beach which really helped."

Next year's swim is already in the club's diary and will be held at midday on Whitesands beach on January 1st 2020.