Lyme Regis is gearing up for its annual charity swim today.

Lyme Lunge is set to attract up to 6,000 people on Sandy Beach as around 600 swimmers put-on fancy-dress costumes before taking a plunge in the sea.

The annual tradition takes place at 1pm and is organised by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis which hosts many charitable fundraisers throughout the town.

For 14 years swimmers have been braving the cold and marking the turn of the new year and have raised more than £35,000 for local and national charities in doing so.

This year the main beneficiaries of the swim are The Alzheimer's Society and Asthma+ Lung UK alongside Rotary charities.

The Rotary Club is also providing some marquees for people to change in and hot soup will be served following the Lunge, courtesy of the Harbour Inn.

There is no fee to enter, however, collection buckets will be available at the site as well as stations and QR codes for people to make donations by card.

A spokesperson for the Rotary Club said: “If you would like to raise funds for the chosen Rotary charity: please feel free to use the sponsor form, where sponsors can sign up to Gift Aid if they wish. 

“If you have your own charity which you wish to raise funds for then please go ahead. It would help our cause if you would just email us with the amount raised – If you just want a dip, feel free to join us, there is no obligation.” 

Full details and sponsorship forms will be available at www.lymeregisrotary.org.