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.

Eastern Daily Press: People wore all kinds of costumes for this years Southwold Christmas day swimPeople wore all kinds of costumes for this years Southwold Christmas day swim (Image: Archant)

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.

Eastern Daily Press: 167 swimmers took to the water in Southwold this Christmas as they raised �2600 so far and still coming in.167 swimmers took to the water in Southwold this Christmas as they raised �2600 so far and still coming in. (Image: Archant)

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.'

Eastern Daily Press: About the take the plunge as 167 swimmers ran to the sea for the Southwold Christmas day swimAbout the take the plunge as 167 swimmers ran to the sea for the Southwold Christmas day swim (Image: Archant)

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.

Eastern Daily Press: A couple of those that were involved in this years Christmas day swim in SouthwoldA couple of those that were involved in this years Christmas day swim in Southwold (Image: Archant)

'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.

Eastern Daily Press: Getting amongst the waves at this years Christmas day swim in SouthwoldGetting amongst the waves at this years Christmas day swim in Southwold (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Happy but frozen faces at this years Christmas day swim in SouthwoldHappy but frozen faces at this years Christmas day swim in Southwold (Image: Archant)