THE traditional Teignmouth Boxing Day dip in the sea was probably one of the biggest events of its kind in the country this year.

Quite a few seaside resorts hold similar winter splashes in the briny, but few can match the numbers who turned out on Teignmouth beach and promenade.

Around 300 hardy souls in various states of undress and fancy dress took the plunge, and another estimated 3,000 watched the fun.

And the amount of cash raised for the Teignmouth lifeboat is also expected to be a record breaker.

What a difference a year can make. Last year the temperature hovered around zero, but on Monday it was an almost balmy 11c.

'They actually seemed to enjoy the chilly waters, and many frolicked in the waves for over five minutes, under the watchful eye of our crew on the lifeboat The Two Annes, before seeking the warmth of dry clothes, towels and hot chocolate,' said Lorraine Lizius, Teignmouth RNLI fundraising chairman.

About £4,000 was raised on the day – nearly double last year's total – and sponsorship money from the bathers is still being counted.

'The people of Teignmouth and visitors have been fantastically generous, and we want to say a massive thank you to all those who supported us,' Lorraine added.

l Early on Christmas day, the Teignmouth lifeboat was summoned to Spray Point on the seawall, where a 28-year-old distressed man was threatening to jump into the sea.

Police officers managed to persuade him not to jump, and he was taken into the care of relatives.

The lifeboat stood down at 4.20am.