A group of over 200 plucky penguins joined a record-breaking crowd of hardy souls who had a splashing start to 2005 when they took the plunge in Saundersfoot's New Year's Day Charity Swim. The 204 penguins - children, staff, parents and friends from Saundersfoot School - made a spectacular entry waddling across the beach from Coppet Hall prior to walking off with the best team fancy dress prize at Saturday's 22nd annual event. The penguins, including Saundersfoot's vicar, Canon Michael Butler, joined a variety of colourful fancy dressed entrants, including two Mexicans, inflatable Santas, a pack of spotty dogs and even Snow White and her Seven Dwarfs. Despite the wet weather and the chilly sea temperatures, the best ever turnout of 674 brave bathers took to the water in their bid to raise bumper sums for charity. Spectators, out in their thousands, also thronged every vantage point above the beach to cheer the swimmers on and in addition donated £2,250 to the bucket collection. The crowd also helped compere, DJ Benny Bond (Kevin Lloyd), in a grand countdown to a firework launch, courtesy of Chris Allen, of Westcoast Fireworks, Narberth, and a maroon set off at the water's edge by HM Coastguard, which sent the dippers on their way to the waves. And among those braving the briny were the hardy quartet of John Joseph (dressed this year as the Hunchback of Notre Dame), Mick Hamilton, Chris Williams and Gethin Evans, who have taken part in every single Saundersfoot swim. Medals were presented by Zoe Snell, of event-sponsors Oakwood, chairman of the Wales Tourist Board, Philip Evans, and swim stalwart, Peter Williams and his wife, Sue, while swimmers over the age of 18 were also offered a mini-bottle of whisky this year, courtesy of Old Poultney. Said Martyn Williams, chairman of Saundersfoot Festivities Association, which organises the swim: "This year's swim was absolutely marvellous. "We were amazed at the turnout, as the weather was not at its best, and the tsunami disaster was not far from everyone's thoughts. "But we were pleased that the whole village pulled together and helped make this year's swim a success, and I cannot thank all the businesses, shops and pubs who have helped us enough. "There was a brilliant atmosphere on the beach and along the harbour walls, which continued around the village afterwards. Everywhere was buzzing and we even had New Year's Day Swim song sheets printed this year and had singsongs in the pubs, which were brilliant."