Thousands of people turned out to savour the Yuletide merriment of one of Britain's top festive highlights on Sunday - Tenby's annual Boxing Day Swim. And cheered on by crowds of spectators, the brave bathers once again splashed their way into the record books as over 490 swimmers shook off the Christmas turkey and stuffing excesses as they took the plunge in the sea off the town's North Beach. Sent on their way by a rocket and maroon, the best ever turnout of 494 hardy men, women and children, sporting attire ranging from swimming trunks and bikinis to full fancy dress, which this year included two Turtle Doves, three French Hens, four Calling Birds, five Golden Rings, nine Ladies Dancing and 11 Maids-a-Milking, all reflecting the Twelve Days of Christmas theme, underwent a mini-marathon dash to the splash before reaching the chilly water. Among the participants was former Saundersfoot resident and Boxing Day Swim veteran, Dai Roberts, and his family. Dai, who was based at a NATO HQ in Norfolk, Virginia, has been leading a transatlantic dip at Virginia Beach for the last couple of years, but now he has been posted back to Buckinghamshire, was able to take part in the Welsh event once again. Four colleagues across the pond, however, continued the tradition and staged their own stateside dip, despite the blizzard and freezing conditions, while four friends who had moved to Japan held a swim in Okinawa too. In addition, five local residents on holiday in Australia were also due to take to the water Down Under on Boxing Day, while one of the furthest travelled dippers in Tenby must have been six-year-old Angus Morin, of Winnipeg, Canada, who joined in the fun with his cousin, Penally school teacher, Christine Page. On hand to give the 34th Tenby dip a civic salute was the town's Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, and her Deputy, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, who not only judged the fancy dress competition, but were also among the first to brave the briny dressed as 'Night Mayors'. Winner of the best individual child award was Robert Parker, who was dressed as a fairy, while Alex Moore and Laura Roberts as the cow from the 11 Maids-a-Milking entry won best individual adult prize. The Pirates from Tenby Junior School claimed best children's group, and the dancing ladies from Tenby Ladies Circle, stepped off with the best adult group. Prizes were donated by Victoria Wine, Somerfield, Kilgetty Co-op, the Buccaneer, Tenby and New Hedges Mini Market. Winner of the pre-swim canoe race was Jerry Swift. While some dippers were quickly out of the sea - this year rated to be nine degrees cold - and raced back up the beach in a flash to claim their medal, which were this year revamped thanks to AS Product Design students of Greenhill School, other hardy souls frolicked in the water for over 15 minutes, with some even swimming out to the RNLI all-weather lifeboat, RFA Sir Galahad. Back on the beach, hot soup was served by members of Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions Club, while the roaring bonfire was constructed by Graham Morris and friends. Local DJ Steve Briers was on hand to give a festive commentary, while safety cover was provided by HM Coastguard, Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club, St. John Ambulance and Tenby RNLI. The response to the swim, sponsored by Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire, delighted its organisers, the Tenby Seas Swimming Association. "The weather was not at its best at the start of the morning, but by a miracle the skies turned blue and encouraged a fantastic turnout," said chairman, Chris Osborne. "All the signs are looking good for a record swim in every respect." This year's chosen charities were the Harriet Davis Trust, which is hoping to set up its fourth holiday house in the Tenby area for families of children with disabilities; the Tenby and District branch of Diabetes UK; the Pembrokeshire Cystic Fibrosis Trust; and the Saundersfoot, Tenby and district branch of Macmillan Cancer Relief. Money raised at the 'sister swims' in America, Japan and Australia will also be added to the sponsorship raised in Tenby, and swimmers are asked to hand in their money as soon as possible so that the final amount can be totalled and added to the magnificent bucket collection of £1,960.