The annual Christmas swims get underway across Waterford City and County later this morning.

This year’s swim in Tramore forms part of the WLR Christmas Appeal and there will be bucket collections on the day for the St Vincent de Paul.

The event gets underway at 11.00am from T-Bay Surf Club and Moe’s Cafe.

At the same time there’s a swim at the Guillamene run by the Newtown and Guillamene Swimming Club.

The 35th Michael Power Memorial Swim starts at 12 noon at Kilmurrin and all money raised will go towards The Copper Coast Scout Group.

Also kicking off at 12pm are swims in Clonea, Stradbally and Dunmore East

The last of the day in County Waterford gets off in Ardmore at 12.15pm.