Ref. 28440-34A GROUP of divers plunged into the icy waters of the River Thames for charity with only dry suits and thermal underwear to protect them.

The sponsored swim was organised by members of the Swindon branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club, in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Some of the 24 swimmers even wore fancy dress for the three-mile event, which started at Inglesham Church and finished at St John's Lock near Lechlade.

More than £1,400 was raised, which will be split between the RNLI and the club's own funds.

Participants ranging from 20-somethings to those in their 70s took about one hour to complete the course on Sunday morning, before warming up with soup and drinks at the Trout Inn near St John's Lock.

The Swindon branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club has raised thousands of pounds for the RNLI over the past 25 years.

Club president John Hamilton has been taking part in the annual swim for the past 20 years. "We weren't wearing aqualungs, just dry suits to keep the cold out," said the 77-year-old, who lives in Shrivenham.

"It was a carnival atmosphere and people came dressed in Santa and monster costumes.''

"The RNLI is the service all divers call upon if they're in trouble so we feel we should support them.

"They turn out in all kinds of weather so we felt we should go through the same kind of thing."