Sea swimmers urged to be cautious about taking new year dips off British coast

RNLI tells people to consider their health, cold water effects and weather conditions after disappearance of two swimmers on Christmas Day

People planning on welcoming the new year by braving the British weather for a swim in the sea have been warned of the dangers after the disappearance of two swimmers on Christmas Day.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution said the effects of cold-water shock combined with weather conditions pose a risk to anyone entering water that is 15C or below. At this time of year, the average sea temperature around the UK and Ireland is 6C to 10C.