Ex-Greenhillian Dai Roberts, formerly of Saundersfoot has led a group of intrepid bathers in a traditional Boxing Day Swim but on the other side of the Atlantic at Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.

"Having taken part in Tenby's swim many times since 1975 or so, we decided in 2000 that it would be fun to jump in the cold sea here also - despite the 40F air and sea temperature," explained Dai in an e-mail to the Observer this week.

"In 2000 there was one mad fool (me) and last year we had a grand total of four plungers," continued Dai, who is the son-in-law of Lilian and Brian Lang, of Edgecombe, The Ridgeway, Saundersfoot.

"This year we managed to persuade 12 crazy Americans join in and of course there was also myself and my son Tom, who is 10. Luckily for us it was sunny, but cold and windy, at least no rain."

After taking the plunge the bathers marched home behind a parade of children carrying flags to enjoy a traditional British beer tasting and turkey leftovers.