Rough seas delayed them but nothing was going to stop three hardy swimmers from finishing an attempt to swim round Brighton's Palace Pier for charity.

Paul Smith, Adrian Bates and Angus Kennedy were among the members of Brighton Swimming Club who abandoned their traditional Christmas day swim off the city's beach because of towering waves and dangerous currents. Instead they helped to rescue 12 others who got into trouble in violent waters.

But Mr Smith had sponsors for his attempt to swim around the pier and was determined not to let them down so rearranged it for yesterday.

Despite the cold water, the trio set off on the three-quarter of a mile challenge clad only in speedos and gloves.

Mr Smith, 42, who runs Brighton Swimming School, said: "Going in is always hard and it was tough at the end of the pier when you are pretty much alone with a long way to go."

Cheered on by members of the public on the pier - and friends and family on the beach - the three men made it back in just 25 minutes, raising £1,000 for the Help For Heroes charity.

Mr Smith said: "It was so cold it took about 40 minutes to warm up again afterwards but it was worth it."

The charity provides care for British servicemen and women severely injured in Afghanistan. To help, email paulsmith@brightonswimming school.com