Arrays of festive costumes were on show as more than 150 swimmers began their Christmas day with a splash as part of the annual Southwold Christmas Day Swim.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Southwold and District the event saw hundreds of crowds gather near to the beach at Gun Hill to cheer the swimmers as they braved the chilly North Sea temperatures.

Alan Hardwick, secretary of Rotary Club of Southwold and District, said: 'It has been a brilliant morning and the weather was really kind to us.'

This year's swim is raising funds for the RNLI, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Waveney Sailability and in the five years Rotary Club of Southwold and District has been organising the annual swim, £11,000 has been raised for worthwhile causes.

'Its a fun event and brings the town together, but we also find people from all over the country registering to take part. It is a wonderful event and certainly works up appetites before Christmas dinner,' explained Mr Hardwick. The total for funds raised currently stands at £2,600.