SANTAS took to the water at Chepstow diving centre at the weekend in aid of charity.

Around 75 Santas took part in the eight annual Scuba Santas event at the National Diving and Activity Centre on Sunday.

The Santas were joined by Stormy Stan, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution mascot, for the event which is estimated to have raised between £1,000 and £1,500.

Scuba Santas is a charity event which encourages as many scuba divers as possible to dress in a Santa Claus costume and enjoy the fun of a festive dive while raising money.

The funds will be split between two charities; the RNLI and DDRC Healthcare, a hyperbaric medical facility and specialists in diving health.

Since 2007, Scuba Santas has raised more than £20,000 for charity.

It was originally organised by Lloyd Watkin who set up the event with a team of others from Yorkshire Divers.

There was also a prize draw on the day which saw Mark Greenhill, a scuba Santa, win a dive holiday for six to the Costa Brava in Spain worth £1,800 which was donated by Fleet Dive.

He said: "This years Scuba Santa was my first time diving at NDAC Chepstow, as well as my first time at Scuba Santa. It was a lovely way to get into the festive spirit and there was a great atmosphere around the day.

"This was helped by the collective sense that we were there to do something to help two good causes which should be close to the heart of any diver. The diving was brilliant as well, with lots to see and I will enjoy coming back to Chepstow again."

He added: "I was really surprised when I won the grand prize in the prize draw. I'm now really looking forward to the trip to Spain. The trip sounds like it will be amazing, like something from a film."

Speaking before the event, Louis Walsh, DDRC Healthcare's marketing and fundraising manager, said: "We are delighted to be helping to organise this fantastic annual event and very grateful for the support of our hosts, the National Diving and Activity Centre, as well as all those raising money for the RNLI and DDRC Healthcare."