Penryn's mayor Shelley Peters was joined by her daughter, Lily, and a hardy bunch of supporters when she took to the water off Flushing for a new year's day swim.

The group gathered on Flushing Beach and all braved the freezing temperatures to raise money for Tanya's Courage Trust, in memory of Falmouth teenager Sasha Watson who died of a rare form of cancer in February 2105.

Ms Peters said after the swim: “We did it. It was freezing but invigorating, when you get used to it, it’s not overly cold. Lily even took us back for a second go - she called it double dipping."

Explaining her choice of charity, she added: “Tanya’s Courage Trust's Penryn shop was opened in memory of Sasha Watson by her lovely mum and my friend, Michelle Bray. It’s my chosen mayor's charity this year.”

Sasha was just 19 when she lost her fight against a rare form of liver cancer. During her illness she and her family had been supported by Tanya's Courage Trust and when the charity opened its shop in Penryn in April 2016, which was inspired by Sasha, Michelle was appointed manager.

Ms Peters intends to hold more fundraisers for the charity this year. The next one is a Valentine's Ball on February 10 at the Greenbank Hotel in Falmouth when guests will enjoy a three course-meal and the chance to win prizes in a raffle. Tickets are £30 per person and can be bought by contacting the Penryn Town Council.

The new year swim has so far raised over £100 but donations are still being accepted. They can be made online at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/shelley-peters-1.