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Coastguards have warned people against going for a New Year’s Day dip in stormy seas after a man trying to swim in 15ft (4.5m) waves sparked a rescue.

Aberystwyth RNLI inshore lifeboat was about to launch at around 07:30 GMT on Wednesday when the man struggled back ashore on the town’s South Beach.

The would-be swimmer, who was wearing a wetsuit, was arrested by police.

Milford Haven coastguard said: “It may just have been in high spirits but it was not in good judgment.”

The coastguard spokesman said the alert was sparked by the swimmer’s friend who became concerned minutes after the man went into the water.

The RNLI crew and Aberystwyth’s coastguard were mobilised and the police and ambulance services called.

“If he had looked at the news, he would have seen they’ve already lost someone in England this morning.”

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons