Men, women and children are to dip into icy seas for good causes over the festive period.

The long running event is the Charmouth Christmas Day swim which has been established for more than 40 years.

It sees hundreds don fancy dress and plunge in for a pre-lunch dip at 11am before retiring to the Royal Oak where tradition has it there will be something to warm the cockles served by new landlady Karen Phillips.

The event is organised by the RNLI and last year raised around £1,500 for the charity.

Volunteer lifeboat crew members from Lyme Regis will be on duty again this year.

Chairman of the RNLI guild Irene Roper said: “The lifeboat crew will be on hand as usual, and we are hoping for another good turnout of brave souls willing to take a chilly dip in all manner of costumes.

“There is plenty of car park space so we look forward to plenty of courageous swimmers and spectators.”

If the turkey takes up too much time on the big day there is no need for despair there is still the chance to take a dip in the West Bay Wallow, which celebrates a decade this Boxing Day.

Bridport Round Table, which runs the event, hope to entice more than the 120 swimmers who went in last year.

The event, fancy dress optional but with prizes for the best dressed man, woman and child, is free to enter but donations for the Round Table will be most welcome.

Swimmers can sign in from 10.45am and the starter’s gun will go off promptly at noon.

This year with harbour works the best place for spectators in the East pier, said Round Tabler Simon Miles. He said: “Last year there were about 120 in the water and we would really like to smash that this year and have an excellent turnout.”

There will be safety kayakers in the water, as well as lifeguards on surf boards and if conditions are suitable, a safety boat.

The swim was started by John McHugh in 2004, who came up with the idea for something to do on Boxing Day after the demise of the West Bay pram race and traditional local hunts.

Mr Miles said: “He thought it would be good to get out and get some fresh air and do something silly so he literally press ganged a few people in the pubs on Christmas Eve and family and friends from the rugby club.”

That first swim saw 10 people take part and raise money for CLIC Sergeant, children’s cancer charity.

Now the event is run by the Round Table, who donate money to local good causes.

If the event has to be cancelled because of bad weather it will be announced on the Round Table’s Facebook page and on Twitter @BridportRT