ORGANISERS have pulled the plug on a tradition that dates back 50 years.

Hardy souls have been braving the waters for the annual Charmouth Christmas Day Swim for five decades.

In light of this sad news, we decided to look back at the swim over the years on these pages.

RNLI volunteers have decided they can no longer organise the fancy dress dip in the sea at Charmouth due to the additional requirements needed to ensure the event can run safely.

Members of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters reluctantly reached their decision after being informed of new rules for such events introduced by the RNLI.

Originally, the dip was organised by residents of Charmouth.

In recent years the Charmouth dip has regularly raised donations in the region of £2,000.

The beach has always been packed with spectators with bathers in fancy dress taking the plunge with members of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat crew acting as |lifeguards.

Over the years some imaginative costumes have been devised by swimmers.

They range from a team of dads taking to the waves in a giant sea monster constructed from cardboard boxes to medieval jesters and court musicians to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis.

In keeping with the season there have been angels and turkeys and even Father Christmas himself.

Also plunging into the choppy waters over the years have been 10 sumo wrestlers, three nuns and a pantomime horse with 'celebrity' appearances from Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Top Gear's The Stig.

Foolhardy swimmers taking part have warmed themselves up afterwards with hot toddies.