NEARLY 20 swimmers from Clevedon stripped off to brave the icy waters off the coast on New Year s Day.

NEARLY 20 swimmers from Clevedon stripped off to brave the icy waters off the coast on New Year's Day.

Members of the Middle Yeo Surf Life Saving Club dressed as pirates, walked the plank and fired canons on the beach to mark the start of the annual event, before donning their swimming costumes and plunging into the sea.

Hundreds of spectators lined the promenade and beach to watch the annual fund-raising event, which has the club set up ten years ago.

All the money raised from the swim will go towards Water Aid and Marlens - the Marine Lake Enthusiasts Society - which campaigns for the regeneration of the town's lake.

Pictured: Brave swimmers taking to the high seas for the New Year's Day plunge.