The popular New Year’s Day Swim charity event for Saundersfoot has been cancelled for the turn of the year the organisers have announced.

Doubts had been cast over the event which attracts thousands of spectators to the village to welcome in the new year, due to Government restrictions on events that host large crowds during the current Covid-19 crisis.

A record 2,048 swimmers braved the icy waters for the 36th annual Saundersfoot swim back in January, with a magnificent £48,896 total generated for charitable organisations and causes.

“I am sorry to state that the 2021 Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim has been cancelled - the unanimous decision was made by the Swim’s Health and Safety group and will be made public,” said the NYDS chair Martyn Williams this week.

“We sincerely hope that we can go ahead with the 2022 New Year’s Day Swim and that you will once again consider supporting us.”

The organisers had stated back in June that they were to ‘monitor the situation’ and continue to observe national and local government advice as well as continuing to work with PCC and emergency services, before making a final announcement as to whether to proceed with the holding of the 2021 event.

“The NYDS swim has successfully run for 36 years and we pride ourselves on the safety of all those attending - during these uncertain, difficult and challenging times it is accepted that people’s safety would be at risk as long as the COVID-19 virus is in existence,” stated the organisers at the time.