THOUSANDS of people are set to brave the chill of seas off Bournemouth next summer as part of a charity swim.

The annual Pier to Pier challenge in aid of the British Heart Foundation will take place on July 15 2018.

And the charity is calling on more people to join the event, which this year raised more than £200,000 towards life-saving research.

Entries for the swim are now open.

Andy Coles, event manager for the British Heart Foundation, said: “We’re really looking forward to next year’s Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim and can’t wait to see more than 1,500 people eager and willing to take on the challenge.

"The event sold out this year, so please do sign up now to guarantee your place."

The challenge is now in its 28th year. Participants swim 1.4 miles in open water between Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier.

The event is Europe's biggest outdoor swimming event.

Mr Coles said: "While deaths from heart and circulatory disease have fallen by more than a half since the British Heart Foundation began, it is still responsible for over 1,240 deaths each month in the south west, so we urgently need your support.

“The legendary swim is the perfect way to support the nation’s heart charity, help save lives and improve your own heart health at the same time. We want to see even more men, women, families and friends come together to help us put an end to the devastation caused by heart disease."

Early-bird admission fees of £10 for under 16s and £25 for adults apply until January 1 2018.

For more information, or to register, visit bhf.org.uk/piertopier or email the events team via events@bhf.org.uk