UP TO two thousand people are charged into the sea today for the Pier to Pier Swim in Bournemouth.

The fundraising event is in its 29th year and continues to draw people from across the country to take on the 1.4-mile challenge in aid of British Heart Foundation.

The first group of swimmers, all wearing red caps, set off from Bournemouth Pier at 10am this morning and made their away down to Boscombe, edging their way along parallel to the shore.

A warm and sunny morning made for an idyllic setting as participants braved the cold waters to support the national charity after a safety briefing on the beach.

A second set of fundraisers, all donning yellow caps, took to the water at 12pm.

This year saw the first Pier to Pier Sunset Swim take place on Saturday evening.