Brave outdoor swimmers wore Father Christmas hats as they kicked off their celebrations with a festive dip.

Sea surface temperatures across the country were between 8C and 11C, the Met Office said.

But plucky bathers, including many dressed as Father Christmas, snowmen and elves, woke up early on Wednesday to take the plunge.

Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club took part in the Peter Pan Cup race, which is held every Christmas Day at the Serpentine, in Hyde Park, central London.

The race is believed to be the world’s oldest continuously contested swimming competition, having been run since 1864.

It has been associated with the author JM Barrie since 1903, when he donated the Peter Pan Cup.

Ian, 45, taking part in the event for the fifth time said: “It’s just good fun, there’s a wonderful community here and everyone comes together.

“It’s a really nice way to start the day.”

Luke Belfield, who is training to become the first person with arthritis to swim the English Channel, said: “It’s a community, there’s still people in there, they’re so friendly, so vibrant, so lovely.

“It was actually quite mild, but I am starting to shiver a little bit.”

Katy Irving, taking part for the third time, said: “Christmas Day is always a special one, it’s the atmosphere, everybody comes out.

“It’s always a great place to be but it’s extra special on Christmas Day.”

Asked about coping with the cold, she said: “It definitely gets easier the more you do it, your body gets used to it.”

Meanwhile, at organised swims in Boscombe Pier in Bournemouth, and at Hunstanton in Norfolk, people charged towards the sea.

The Met Office said a “dry and cloudy” Christmas Day was expected across most of the UK, with “no snow or frost” likely.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said this year will be a “green Christmas” as no snow or frost is expected anywhere in the country.