Weather conditions on Sunday forced the cancellation of the annual Caldey Swim, which was set to raise thousands of pounds for the RNLI.

Event organisers, the Tenby Sea Swimming Association (TSSA), were unwilling to compromise the safety of the 100 entrants to the event, who were due to make the 2.5-mile crossing from the island to the mainland at 1.30 pm.

A committee decision to cancel the swim was made at 7 am after consulting the weather forecast.

“When we checked out the conditions at 1.30 pm, it was evident that we made the right call, as Carmarthen Bay was covered in white horses and conditions would have been entirely unsuitable,” said TSSA chairman Chris Osborne.

“Everyone was understandably very disappointed, but the safety of our swimmers must be paramount.”

Swimmers - some of whom had come from as far afield as Cornwall for the event - were all successfully contacted by the swim organisers.

“Unfortunately, the swim will not be rearranged for this year, as there were only a limited amount of Sundays on which it could take place because of tidal conditions and other events,” said Mr. Osborne.

“I think the message is that the sea will not be beaten, but we are looking forward to returning to successfully stage the event in 2016.”