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Swimmers in fancy dress raise funds for Portishead lido

Harriet RobinsonBBC News, West of England
Barbar Thatcher Four women in a hot tub wearing jellyfish costumes with tinsel attachedBarbar Thatcher
Swimmers can warm up in a hot tub after their activities

Swimmers have raised thousands of pounds for their local lido by taking part in activities wearing fancy dress.

Portishead Popsicle is an annual fundraising event for Portishead Open Air Pool in North Somerset.

"It's one of the highlights of the season," said Barbara Thatcher, who volunteers at the community-run pool.

The cold-water swimming gala included racing using various strokes, as well as competitors riding an inflatable unicorn for two lengths.

Barbara Thatcher Two women holding inflatable unicorn ringsBarbara Thatcher
Barbara Thatcher Women in hot pink outfits with antlersBarbara Thatcher

A total of 181 people signed up for the event.

The heating is turned off in the pool from October and Mrs Thatcher told BBC Somerset that despite the cold and windy weather, everyone was in "good cheer".

Barbara Thatcher Two women and two men in green hats with tinsel. The men have baubles around their waistsBarbara Thatcher
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