BRAVE swimmers are preparing for festive fun when they take the plunge to raise money for good causes.

The annual West Bay Wallow, organised by Bridport Round Table will be held on Boxing Day, while the yearly Charmouth Christmas Day swim will tally up funding for the RNLI.

Organisers of the Charmouth event are hoping to once again see swimmers in weird and wonderful costumes taking the plunge in Lyme Bay.

The event regularly raises around £1,000 for the RNLI, and this year's sponsors, Karen Phillips and Ian Hendry from the Royal Oak pub, will be providing a warming drink for the swimmers following the event.

Fancy dress is not compulsory, and entrants are asked to arrive at 10.30am ready for the swim at 11am.

The event will be officially started by Lyme Regis town crier Alan Vian, and members of the volunteer lifeboat crew will be on hand to keep a watchful eye on swimmers.

Chairman of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth RNLI Guild, Irene Roper, said: "The swim is great fun and regularly attracts a big crowd.

"It’s a really enjoyable way to spend Christmas morning.”

At West Bay, thousands are expected to cheer on swimmers on Boxing Day. More than 100 competitors usually take part in the chilly event - but last year's swim was cancelled due to stormy sea conditions.

Entrants can raise money for any cause they wish, while prizes will be handed out for the best fancy dress costume including designer wetsuits from Funky Seal Wetsuits.

Entrants can sign in from 10.30am with the swim due to start at 12pm. Bridport Round Table will be collecting donations towards local charities on the day.

Organiser Simon Miles from Bridport Round Table, is handing over the event to new organiser Will Jovanovic.

Mr Miles said: “Any donations that go into the Round Table collecting pots will go back into Bridport and the surrounding areas.

“People seem to enjoy the crazy British spirit. We do silly things like this. It’s a good community event, it’s free and it’s a family event.

“It’s a great event for spectators who can get some fresh air.”

In the event that this year’s West Bay Wallow is called off, notification will be posted on Bridport Round Table’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Mr Miles added: “It will go ahead unless it’s really miserable.

“We are looking for a good event and it we have had a few enquiries from people who are visiting Dorset over Christmas.”

Money will also be raised in Lyme Regis on New Year's Day, at the annual Lyme Lunge. The 2017 event will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, but swimmers can raise money for any charity they wish. The Lyme Lunge will take place at the Cobb Beach at 1pm.