Campaigning for the Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim's Swim Factor is well underway and, after the first week of canvassing, the leader board is beginning to take shape.

For the eight local celebrities who have been selected to face the public vote, reality is starting to hit home that they may actually have to brave the icy waters on New Year's Day, but it's Simon Rowell and David 'Lalu' Lewis who are the early favourites.

When Swim Factor organisers were seen in Kilgetty and Begelly with more Swim Rowell promotional signs, Simon was heard to grumble to a work colleague: "I don't want any more of those. I've got too many votes as it is!"

Lalu could have been in further trouble last Saturday. As Tenby United RFC chairman, he would have been in the firing line if high-flying United had lost to Llanybydder. After a hard-fought match, United scraped through with a deserved win.

One supporter commented: "I was just about to send the text, but lucky for him Tenby came through. If Wales lose against the All Blacks on Saturday, then Lalu can have the blame. I'm just looking for an excuse to vote for him!"

The rest of the eight have hovered around the 10 per cent mark (see 'Swimometer' below, although there was a slight surge in the voting pattern last Saturday night for Michael 'Wiggy' Wainwright. Mind you, he did leave his 'phone in the Sports Cub where Roger 'Stanno' Stanford was more than willing to look after it until the following morning!

To vote for your favourite to go into the water on New Year's Day, simply text the word SWIM followed by the nickname of the contestant that you want to see swim to 81066.

For example to vote for Dai 'The Boot' Thomas you would text SWIM BOOT to 81066, you can see how to vote for the rest of the contestants from the grid below. You can keep track of the scores with the aid of the 'Swimometer'. Daily updates appear on the swim's website at http://www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk">www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk. Each vote will cost 50p, plus your standard network rate. Full terms and conditions can be viewed on the website. All profits will be donated to charity.

Dai 'The Boot' Thomas text SWIM BOOT to 81066

Roger Stanford text SWIM STANNO to 81066

Jeffrey Price text SWIM JEFFERS to 81066

Shirley Foster text SWIM SHIRLEY to 81066

Roger Brace text SWIM HOPPY to 81066

Simon Rowell text SWIM ROWELL to 81066

David 'Lalu' Lewis text SWIM LALU to 81066

Michael Wainwright text SWIM WIGGY to 81066