A record-breaking number of 1,150 festive bathers have had a splashing time in the Tenby Boxing Day Swim this morning.

The fancy dress theme of Superheroes – in tribute to the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year – saw Batman, The Incredibles, Wonderwoman and a whole crew of emergency services dashing into the chilly waters of Tenby’s North Beach.

RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was there amongst the huge crowds to cheer the brave bathers on their way.

The swim will be one to remember forever for one duo of dippers as they got engaged following a surprise proposal on the sand.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Philip Frith, 34, made one of his best-ever moves when he popped the question to his girlfriend, former professional dancer Victoria Tansey, 34, who is originally from Hakin.

Said swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall: “Well, we said 'come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge' but we weren't expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple.”

The swim has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes in its 52-year history, and this year’s event will see Tenby RNLI as the main beneficiary.

Tenby’s mayor Cllr Dai Morgan said: “It’s great to see so many people from here, and for such a good cause. I just love it down on the beach on Boxing Day. The swim is such a fantastic tradition.”

The mayor’s daughter, 18-year-old Erin Morgan, who is Tenby’s town crier, gave a special ‘cry’ to welcome the swim.

Swim chairman Sam supervised 10-year-old Sam Fecci as he fired the swim’s starting pistol – a duty usually carried out by his dad, Stuart, who was not well enough to attend.

Festive tunes and a lively commentary from DJ Steve Briers ramped up the atmosphere on the beach and swimmers emerged from the sea to be presented with commemorative medals and warmed up with hot soup donated by the Giltar Hotel and served up by Tenby and District Lions.