Hundreds of swimmers dashed and danced into the sea for a charity dip at Helen's Bay in Co Down on Wednesday.This year's Santa Splash started with carol singing and bell ringing before a warm-up session led by local fitness coaches Eamon Swail and Calvin Brennan.At 11am the Christmas Eve crowd raced into the cold water of Belfast Lough decked out in Santa hats, tinsel and elf ears.

Hundreds of swimmers dashed and danced into the sea for a charity dip at Helen's Bay in Co Down on Wednesday.This year's Santa Splash started with carol singing and bell ringing before a warm-up session led by local fitness coaches Eamon Swail and Calvin Brennan.At 11am the Christmas Eve crowd raced into the cold water of Belfast Lough decked out in Santa hats, tinsel and elf ears.