Boxing Day dip for charity cancelled at Bridlington South Beach on the Yorkshire coast over concerns about pollution

The sea swim at Bridlington South Beach is organised by Martin Jolly and Richard Preston, owner of nearby cafe Richie’s, as a fundraiser for the RNLI.

An announcement on Facebook read: “We are so sad to say that we have had to cancel this event due to a water quality issue off the South Beach. As your safety is of our prime concern we hope to reschedule this event once this problem has been rectified.”

Concerns were raised by the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water recently after water testing revealed the presence of faecal matter off the bay, and a public warning advising against swimming was issued by Defra.

Bridlington also has a Christmas Day dip at North Beach that has been going for over 50 years, and the village of Flamborough hosts a sea swim on Boxing Day from North Landing.