Thousands line the shore to cheer on the fancy dress swimmers as they brave the chilly sea

The rain finally stopped but plenty of people got wet during the annual Lyme Lunge yesterday (Tuesday).

Thousands turned out in the welcome sunshine to watch the fancy dress swimmers race down the sandy beach and take the plunge in the chilly sea.

Organised by the Lyme Regis Rotary Club the lungers are expected to have raised several thousand pounds for the Shelterbox appeal and for the RNLI.

One visitor likened the increasingly popular New Year’s Day event to Red Arrows day during Lifeboat Week.

Dozens of men women and youngsters dressed up for the dip. Members of the RNLI lifeboat crew supplied safety cover in the water.