MORE than 100 swimmers ignored the rain and wind and took the plunge for the second Lyme Splash Lyme Regis to Charmouth Challenge.

Although thanks to the inclement weather they didn't attempt to head to Charmouth but instead braved a circular course in Lyme Regis bay.

Lyme Splash organiser Karen Durham-Diggins said: "Despite the weather we had a great swim on Sunday.

"The Second Lyme Regis to Charmouth Challenge was somewhat curtailed due to the inclement winds and to ensure a safe swim the swimmers were unable to go to Charmouth. However this did not diminish the swimmers enjoyment or challenge!"

Having looked at the forecast harbour master Graham Foreshaw and Karen agreed to Plan B - a safe circular 3.1k course around buoys in Lyme Regis’s bay.

Mayor Michaela Ellis braved the winds and started each of the six 'swim waves', as boats from Lyme Regis Sailing Club, Gig Club, Sea Quest and Rob Perry Marine together with local kayak groups entered the water to support the swimmers.

Karen, who is chairman of Lyme Splash, added: "“Obviously we are weather and tide dependent for this type of event. Although it was disappointing not to go to Charmouth and having a back up plan allowed us to offer a safe and challenging event that the swimmers appreciated.

"We had a great turn out of 111 swimmers that included many local swimmers, 27 children and staff from Taunton School, and a third of entrants who came as far away as Huddersfield to New Zealand.”

At the end of the swim all swimmers and volunteers were warmly boosted and refreshed by their hot chocolate drink from Dorset Chocolatiers Chococo, spring water from Yawl Water and biscuits from Moores Biscuits.

B Sharp’s houseband, LaunchPad, one of the charities Lyme Splash support, performed a newly composed song especially for the event.

The presentation celebration took place in The Marine Theatre. Prizes from Chococo were awarded and the raffle draw before everyone went home to warm up and celebrate a successful swim.

Lyme Splash aims to raise money for local charities split evenly between B Sharp, The Marine Theatre and National charity Water Aid.

Karen added: "We aim to celebrate the water facilities that Lyme Regis has to offer. In doing so highlight the wealth of water-sport clubs, opportunities and work together, both for locals and to attract more business into the local economy."

Entry to the Lyme Regis to Charmouth Challenge 2018 will be announced soon.