'Coldest ever' charity sea swim at Felixstowe

Many participants wore fancy dress for their bracing dip in the sea

A charity in Suffolk which has organised Christmas Day swims in the North Sea since 2003 has said Saturday's event was the coldest yet.

More than 200 people braved waters of about 5C, and an air temperature of -2C, for the swim at Felixstowe on Saturday morning.

Their efforts for the St Elizabeth Hospice raised more than £35,000, the charity said.

"It was our coldest Christmas Day dip on record," it added.

Hundreds of people gathered on the beach to watch the spectacle and swimmers were treated to mulled wine and mince pies afterwards.

St Elizabeth Hospice provides palliative care in east Suffolk and costs £6.6m a year to run.