NEARLY 400 hardy souls took a chilly dip in the sea at Teignmouth on Boxing Day in a bid to burn off all that food eaten over the festive period and raise funds for the RNLI.

The popular annual event always attracts a large crowd of onlookers and this year was no exception with an estimated 2,000-strong crowd watching.

Fancy dress entrants are always welcome at the event and a trio of mermaids, fighting T-Rexs, numerous Santas and even a walking bottle of Tequila were among some of the oddities spotted in the water.

The event was initially in some doubt as strong winds had whipped up the waves a few hours before the 11am splash-down but as the tide receded organisers gave the thumbs-up.

Organisers were over the moon with the event which has so far passed the £5,000 mark for the RNLI.

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