Over 400 dippers who braved the near Arctic conditions to take part in the Saunderfoot New Year's Day Swim raised the staggering sum of £14,600 for charity.

And this record-breaking total takes the amount raised by the Oakwood-sponsored event to £35,000 in the three years the company has been supporting the swim.

The magnificent sum has delighted organisers, Saundersfoot Festivitives Association, whose chairman, Martyn Williams, thanked all those who had helped make the 19th annual dip a resounding success, when the presentation of awards and proceeds was held at the St. Bride's Hotel, Saundersfoot, last Thursday evening.

Representatives of various charities, organisations and groups supported by the swim attended the presentation evening and were thrilled to receive generous cheques, which were presented by Helen McNamara, of Oakwood.

Highest sponsored swimmer was Saundersfoot CP School headteacher Miss Helen Lester, who won the Betty Duncan Shield for her total of £785, while eight-year-old Ceri Davies, of St. Clears, was the top sponsored junior entrant for the third year in a row, raising £400.

There was also a special committee award for Derek Walker, of Dudley, who raised £776.

Also receiving awards were groups of swimmers who braved the icy waters to take part in the festive spectacle, and those teams presented with coveted Blue Tit Awards were the Carew Inn, Myrddin Unit, Saundersfoot School, Stepaside Coachworks, PASH, Royal Oak, Butchers Arms, Chemist Inn, Captains Table, Pembroke School, RNLI, Tavernspite Playgroup, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Saundersfoot Skateboarders, Narberth CP School, Tenby Dolphins and Tenby Swifts.

Photographs were presented to Chris Williams, Mick Hamilton and John Joseph, who have attended every swim in the history of the festive event, while also in line to pick-up a similar award next year is Gethin Evans, who has assured the organisers that he, too, has taken part in all the dips.

Presentations were also made to the St. John Ambulance, Surflink and HM Coastguard, who provided safety cover for the January 1 dip, while Andy Macdonald was on hand to present the Tug O'War Challenge Cup, donated by Charles Davies, of Heatherton, to the winning team from Tenby, captained by Mike Evans, who defeated their 'friendly' rivals from Saundersfoot.

The organisers are already busy planning next year's swim and are hoping the event will be equally as successful once again.