PICTURES: Money rasied for RNLI at Charmouth Christmas Day Swim 2015

Swimmers dressed as stormtroopers, elves and avocados braved the wild conditions as more than £800 was donated to the lifesaving charity.

PHOTO GALLERY: CHARMOUTH CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM 2015

Volunteer crew from the Lyme Regis RNLI ensured swimmers enjoyed the event safely.

Lyme Regis lifeboat helm Mark Colley, said: "We had another successful year here at Charmouth. 

"It’s great fun for all the swimmers and good to see so many turn out every year. The lifeboat crew enjoy coming down every year to help and of course it’s a fun way to raise some money for the RNLI."

Swimmers preparing for the event began arriving from 10am and were joined by volunteers from the RNLI with collecting buckets as well as members of the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew.

Stormtroopers Vicki Dustan and Rob Davis

As they have done for many years, the RNLI crew had put their own Christmas Day celebrations to one side for an hour or so to ensure everyone had a fun and safe time.

The crew donned their kit and entered the water shortly before the 11am start to form a protected area of the sea for the swimmers to enter for the chilly dip. 

Kate Fortman and Rebecca Harper

The wind and rain had clearly not dampened enthusiasm for this annual event when Lyme Regis town crier Alan Vian rang his bell to start the event at 11am and the assembled swimmers charged in to the sea for a quick dip.

Isabel Ward raised money for the Clock House Appeal

Isabel Ward from North Chideock raised more than £640 for the Clock House Appeal by taking on a sponsored swim at Charmouth.

Isabel who is in her 80th year has done the swim every year since 1976.