Thousands of people turned out to savour the yuletide merriment of one of Britain's top festive highlights on Wednesday - Tenby's annual Boxing Day Swim.

Crowds of spectators took advantage of the winter sunshine and gathered at every vantage point around the resort's North Beach to watch the unique spectacle of over 370 hardy men, women and children of all ages, plus several pet dogs, brave the briny.

As people began gathering, there was plenty to amuse them in the prelude to the 31st dash for the splash, with festive entertainment from local DJ Steve Briers, the launching of the lifeboat - the RNLI reserve fleet craft The Famous Grouse - and the traditional canoe and raft races.

Winner of the canoe race was Catherine John, of Pembrokeshire Paddlers, while the raft race was won by Max and Tom's team, who later added to the fuel of the bonfire by burning their floating structure.

A maroon fired by HM Coastguard sent a record-breaking total of 377 bathers stampeding into the water. The swimmers, from not only Tenby, but all round Wales, the rest of the United Kingdom and indeed all corners of the globe, including India, Australia and Russia, chose a variety of attire in which to join in the fun, and can now proudly be the first to show off their well-deserved medals which this year feature a new design.

As well as many new faces, the event attracted its usual crowd of faithful swimmers, for whom Christmas would not be complete without a dip in the sea on December 26, and while some were heroic enough to take a dip in the Christmas sea in the most minuscule of bikini and swimming trunks, others revelled in the 'magic' themed fancy dress competition, 'witch' gave participants plenty of scope to conjure up an array of colourful costumes.

And for one intrepid visitor, Brian Evans from Porthcawl, Tenby's event was his second festive dip in 24 hours, for the day before, he had participated in his own town's Christmas Day Swim.

Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, accompanied by her mace bearers, Eric Dorling and John Morgan, was on hand to give the swim a civic salute and judge the fancy dress competition, while taking the plunge on behalf of the town council was Deputy Mayor, Clr. Miss Lis James.

Winning best child as Lord of the Ring was 12-year-old Sam Davies, who received a £10 Thorntons voucher donated by Temptations, of Tenby. Sam, his sister Annie and friend, Cassie Lowe, also picked up the best children's group award, an ice cream voucher for Feccis Ice Cream Parlour, Upper Frog Street, for their entry, Lord of the Ring and his Diamonds.

Best adults, winning a bar meal for two at the Buccaneer, were Jane Hewitt and Isobel Bowen as the wacky wizards, while Tenby Tangent can toast their success at winning the best group award with their prize - four bottles of champagne.

Also adding to the magic of the Activity Wales-sponsored event was Mother Nature who waved her wand, ensuring the swim was blessed with one of the mildest mornings for a number of years, although no doubt the dippers may disagree, as some of the veterans rated the sea temperature as chilly as ever.

Some of the hardiest bathers, however, stayed in the water for an exhilarating 50-metre swim out to the lifeboat, moored just off the shoreline, before joining their fellow bathers for hot soup served by Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions around the blazing beach bonfire, which had been built and lit by Roy Broxham, of the Tenby Sea Cadet Corps.

Delighted with the one of the largest turnouts of both swimmers and spectators in the history of the event was Chris Osborne, chairman of the organising committee, the Tenby Sea Swimming Association.

"This year's event attracted a superb crowd that was appropriately matched by the superb weather with a calm sea, blue sky and sunshine," he said.

Added swim faithful Lt. Cmdr. Tom Peake, who has only missed two swims over the 31 years: "It is a perfect day, and although the water is just as cold as it ever is, it's been thoroughly enjoyable."

Safety cover was provided by HM Coastguard, Tenby Surf Lifesaving Association and St. John Ambulance.

Tenby's Boxing Day Swim once again delivered the goods as a fun, community event that not only brings families and friends together at a special time of year, but also gives a boost to charities and good causes.

Although several swimmers were raising funds for their own charities, main beneficiaries of this year's swim are Ty Hafan Children's Hospice for Wales, the Tenby Gateway Club, the Scout and Guide Hall rebuilding fund and Tenby Rowing Club, as well as Tenby Junior School, Tenby RNLI and Tenby Sea Cadets, along with other local charities.

One group of family and friends alone has already raised £3,000 for the Paul Sartori Foundation in memory of Sharron Griffiths, of Tenby.

Last year, 373 swimmers helped raise a record £8,000 and the organisers are once again forecasting a bumper charity payout when all the sponsorship has been gathered in, and they are urging all swimmers to hand in their money as soon as possible, so that the final amount, including the generously supported beach collection, can be totalled.