About 30 people gathered at Overstrand for an informal swim which helps to raise funds for the village playground.

Among them was Santa - alias local driving instructor Sylvia Anderson who said the water was cold despite wearing the full festive suit and wellies. 'It is the first time I have done it. It was great fun but cold and i have two boots full of sea water,' she said.

The suit had been worn on dry land just before Christmas, not for giving lessons, but for delivering presents.

Irishman Martin Cadogan also the braved the waters while visiting his partner's parents in the village, but was sporting a Christmas pudding woolly hat to keep at least part of him warm.

Bucket collection funds for the 'unorganised' swim go to the local Millennium playground.

Millennium group chairman Bill Wallace said having first hatched the playground idea in 1997 and begun building it in 2005, the equipment still needed maintenance, and �1,200 a year in insurance.

The swim, a a barbecue on bonfire night and a summer Rockstock music event in the village were the main fundraisers for the year.