SWIMMERS braved Lyme Bay to take part in the first sea swim from Lyme Regis to Charmouth to raise money for charity.

The first Lyme Splash took place last weekend, with participants enjoying sunny conditions for the 3.15km swim.

Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Owen Lovell, along with Karen Durham-Diggins, laid four roses in the sea in memory of teenagers who died while canoeing the same stretch of water 23 years ago.

Cllr Lovell started the first wave off swimmers on their way. The sun stayed out but the wind picked up, making conditions choppy near Charmouth. The choppy conditions meant that a couple of swimmers became seasick and were forced to retire.

A total of 100 swimmers completed the 1.94-mile swim, with Nikki Gatland clocking the fastest time, completing the stretch in 47 minutes.

Lisa North, who became one of the first duos to complete a double channel relay on August 25, recovered in time to take part in the Lyme Splash.

She said: “I feel really humbled by those that turned up to the event and the support and enthusiasm of the volunteers.

“There was a fantastic feeling of achievement by everyone who took part in the event, whatever role they played.”

The youngest swimmer to take part was 12 years old and the oldest competitor was aged 70 years old.

Amongst the swimmers were children from Taunton Prep School who were using the event as a warm-up before they race the Royal Marines across the Channel.

Organisers praised "one of the greatest achievements" by a 13-year-old swimmer old with autism.

Ms Durham-Diggins said: "He’s an enthusiastic open water swimmer who swan with his Mum,using a very individual swimming stroke.

"He completed the swim in an astonishing two hours, 11minutes."

At the end of the swim, competitors all sat on Charmouth Beach in the sun’s warmth and enjoyed a cuppa from co-sponsors of the event, Dorset Tea and Moores Biscuits.

The competitors then swan out to Lyme Rib Rides for a lift back and hot showers supplied by Lyme Regis Sailing Club.

Youth music group B Sharp, one of the charities supported by Lyme Splash, composed two songs especially for the event that were performed at The Marine Theatre - where a celebration and presentation took place after the swim.

Funding will be split between B Shark, The Marine Theatre and Water Aid.

Lyme Regis Harbour Master, Graham Foreshaw, said: “This was a positive event and we are looking forward to supporting next year’s event.”

Next year’s Lyme Splash to Charmouth Challenge will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2017.