Tenby's brave Boxing Day bathers have made the biggest fund-raising splash in the event's 31-year history.

Over £15,200 was raised for charity by the 2001 event, which saw the largest-ever stampede of 377 dippers heading for the calm, but chilly, waters off the North Beach.

This bumper total now takes the money raised by the Boxing Day Swim over the years to around £90,000.

This total, almost double that of the previous year, has delighted the many charities and good causes who have benefited, as well as the organisers, the Tenby Sea Swimming Association.

The fund-raising was described as 'amazing' by TSSA chairman Chris Osborne at the swim's presentation night on Wednesday.

"So many people have put in so much effort, and it is greatly appreciated," he said. "We hope that after next Boxing Day, we will show that this huge amount of money raised is not a fluke but a trend."

The Activity Wales-sponsored swim attracted bathers from as far afield as India, Russia and Australia as well as a huge contingent of locals and exiles.

They chose to dash for the splash in a variety of costumes, from bikinis to full fancy dress, which included a bride and groom, a skeleton, a family of Harry Potters, a sheep, a Peter Pan tableau and a line of Minnie Mouses. The highest sponsored swimmer for TSSA-nominated charities was Angela Lewis, of Tenby, who raised £248, with the help of match-funding from her employers, Abbey National.

Ten-year-old William Munford travelled from his home in Barnet to collect the award for the top-sponsored junior entrant. William, the grandson of Mrs. Jenny Thomas, of Broadway, Laugharne, raised £85. The Goscar Oscar for the highest-sponsored group was won by the family and friends of the late Sharron Griffiths, of Tenby, who raised a magnificent £3,386 for Macmillan Cancer Relief and the Paul Sartori Foundation in her memory.

They also received a Brass Monkey award for groups raising £100 or more, along with Parkwell Caravans, Manorbier (£1,225 for Breast Cancer Care), Tenby RFC Swifts (£2,100 for club funds) and Tenby Ladies Circle/Tangent (£552 for Ty Hafan Children's Hospice).

Certificates were also presented to individual swimmers raising over £50 and over £100.

• A total of £15,212.91 was raised by the Tenby Boxing Day Swim. Of this, £12,012.91 went to a variety of charitable causes selected by the swimmers. The swim organisers, Tenby Sea Swimming Association, made donations to their own nominated charities as follows: Ty Hafan, £500; Tenby Gateway Club, £500; Tenby Scout and Guide Hall rebuilding fund, £500; Tenby Rowing Club (new boats), £500; Tenby Junior School (playground equipment), £400; Tenby Sea Cadets, £200; St. John Ambulance, £200; Tenby Surf Lifesavers, £200; Pembroke Canoe Club, £100 and Tenby Lifeboat, £100.