Dolphins accompanied a group of long-distance swimmers on much of their fundraising route across Tramore Bay, Co Waterford, in aid of the local lifeboat service.

After a weekend of joyous sunshine in the South-East, the turn in the weather has brought a gloomy dose of reality, with a sweeping, windy squall drowning out the delights of Tramore beach.

ROOT CAUSE, treated to a day out at Laytown previously, got off the mark over jumps when landing the www.tramore-racecourse.com Maiden Hurdle at the Waterford track yesterday.

FEW people were more deserving of hot drinks on Christmas Day than those who took part in sponsored swims around the country.