Bonkers Brrrits make it a splashing Christmas!
HUNDREDS of brave swimmers around Britain took the plunge for a chilly Christmas Day dip.
From Cornwall to Birmingham, and London’s Hyde Park, revellers took to the waters for the festive tradition – many without a wetsuit.
Scores took a dip in the sea at Bournemouth’s Boscombe Pier to raise funds for the Macmillan Caring Locally charity.
In Cornwall, where the water was a little warmer, people dived in at St Agnes, Bude, and Perranporth.
And in Blackroot Pool in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, people of all ages donned their swimwear in temperatures of around 7C (44F).
Saltdean Lido in Brighton held its first Christmas Day swim in its 80-year history.
Saltdean Lido community volunteer Deryck Chester said: “Many people have been asking us for a while to host a swim on Christmas Day and this year we thought, why not?
“It’s proved a fantastic success. Everyone’s been in a jolly mood – it’s a great atmosphere.
“It’s such a silly and British thing to go swimming on Christmas Day and Saltdean Lido’s beautiful building provides the perfect setting.”
One couple, Mark and Christine, who cycled to the lido from Kemp Town, said: “It’s such a fun way to start your Christmas Day.
“We cycled into a sunrise and we heard the laughter from the pool as soon as we reached the [village’s] tunnel. We’d definitely do it again.”
Swimmers at Boscombe Pier yesterday. Inset, Hyde Park, top, and chilling out in aptly-named Sutton Coldfield