It wouldn't be Christmas in west Dorset without a dip in the ice cold sea.

Charmouth’s famous Christmas Day swim is being held again this year, weather permitting.

The event, which supports the RNLI, began many years ago when it was organised by villagers.

Year after year, dozens of hardy souls - dressed in imaginative fancy dress – plunge into the cold water for fun and to raise vital funds for the life-saving charity.

Volunteers from the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew will again keep a watchful eye on the event.

This year, the licensees of the Royal Oak in Charmouth, Sue and Matthew Bracey, will be providing a welcome glass of mulled wine.

Sue said: “The free wine goes down very well with the swimmers, but this year we will have more bottles so that can serve spectators as well for a donation to the RNLI.”

Swimmers are asked to arrive at 10.30 ready for an 11am start.

Dorset Echo:

Swimmers taking a dip at Charmouth last year

Hundreds of fundraisers will jump into the sea at West Bay on Boxing Day for the West Bay Wallow.

Again in fancy dress, swimmers will raise funds for whichever charities they wish.

Watched from the harbourside by a crowd estimated to be more than 3000 strong, the event, organised by Bridport Round Table, is quite a spectacle and raises a good amount of money for numerous good causes.

You should arrive in plenty of time as West Bay is expected to be incredibly busy.

Entrants sign in from 10.30am for a noon start.

Bridport Round Table will be collecting donations towards local charities on the day.

Finally, welcome in the new year with a fancy dress dip in the sea at Lyme Regis.

The Lyme Lunge will take place on New Year's Day from the Sandy Beach at 1pm.

Everyone is welcome, with prizes for best fancy dress.

You can raise funds for the Rotary's charities, your own charity or take a swim just for fun.

In the past 10 years, the Lunge has raised more than £25,000 for charity.