The festive season in East Devon always sees the more daring among us to rush into the sea. See our pictures from Exmouth on Christmas Day

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Hardy swimmers were cheered on by onlookers as they took the plunge for Exmouth’s annual Christmas day dip.

The swim – a firm favourite on Exmouth’s calendar – attracts hundreds of people each year to watch or take part.

Swimmers, many clad in fancy dress, braved the cold to plunge into the icy water before heading back up the beach to get warm.

Exmouth’s Christmas day swim started in the 1960s, when keen sportsman Ken Cunningham invited five friends - Peter Horne, Stan Jordan, Nick Hockings, David Hart and Miss Ireland - to take a festive dip.

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Photos by Terry Ife

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Midweek Herald: Exmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry IfeExmouth Christmas Day swim 2017. Ref exe 52-17TI 5615. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)