ORGANISERS hope hundreds of people will take the plunge in a sponsored swim across Weymouth Bay.

They are appealing for more fundraisers to take part in the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Hearts First Weymouth Bay Swim on Sunday, August 9.

Organisers from the Weymouth and Portland branch BHF are ‘optimistic’ that they can beat last year’s record entry of 350 swimmers.

Morrisons supermarket in Weymouth has also backed the event with a donation of water and fruit for swimmers.

Peter Rendell, from the Weymouth and Portland BHF, said: “The response for this year’s Weymouth Bay Swim has been quite brilliant.

“I would like to express my thanks to my team, Morrisons, the borough council and everybody for their encouragement and support.” More than £15,000 was raised for the BHF from last year’s swim.

The BHF says the swim is an opportunity for people to get fit and active, and give their hearts a work out whilst raising vital funds.

The swim will start from the Pavilion end of the beach, with registration taking place on the Esplanade from 8am onwards.

The swim is about one mile in length, finishing next to Greenhill Gardens.

People can enter on the day although people can register beforehand by calling 0800 1693672, e-mailing westevents@bhf.org.uk and visiting bhf.org.uk/weymouth.