MORE than 1,600 people braved the cold waters off the West Wales coast yesterday in a record-breaking New Year’s Day swim at Saundersfoot.

The annual event, which has run since 1984, attracted more than 7,000 spectators despite the rain.

Last year the swim raised £36,000 for charity and with more than 300 extra taking part this year that figure is set to increase for the 2012 event. Organiser Steve Williams said: “We adopted an Olympic theme this year because of 2012 and asked people to dress in the colours of Team GB or as their favourite athletes.

“We had a chap dressed as Eddie the Eagle and the winning costumes came from a group who were in a London Bus with all of them dressed as members of Team GB.

“We had 1,657 swimmers so it has been another record-breaking year and a great success.”