Warnings issued to New Year swimmers

ANYONE PLANNING ON TAKING A DIP URGED TO THINK CAREFULLY

- By HERALD REPORTER

Matthew Upham

PEOPLE planning New Year sea swims are being urged to think carefully before entering cold, rough water after two swimmers went missing on Christmas Day.

Two men - a man in his 40s and antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 64 - were reported missing from a 'wild' swim at Budleigh Salterton in Devon.

The RNLI says winter sea temperatures of 6-10C (42.8-50F), far below the 15C (59F) point where cold water shock becomes a serious risk, could quickly turn a fun tradition into an emergency.

Gareth Morrison, the charity's head of water safety, told the BBC: "We are urging anyone entering the water to be aware of the dangers, check sea conditions carefully and to understand their own limitations."

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber cold health alert for the southwest of England from 31 December at 20:00 GMT until 6 January at 10am.

It said the forecast weather was likely to cause "significant impacts across health and social care services" and was likely to increase in demand for health services.