Windy weather sees New Year events cancelled

New Year's Day swimming events and the opening of a historic mansion have been cancelled because of high winds.

Swims at Minehead beach in Somerset and Bristol's harbour are both postponed, while Woodchester Mansion in the Cotswolds said it was not safe to open because of a risk of falling trees.

St Margaret's Hospice Care, organisers of the Minehead charity swim, said: "This decision has not been taken lightly."

A yellow Met Office weather warning for strong winds, covering the entire West Country was declared for Wednesday morning.

Woodchester Mansion said: "The approach to the mansion is down a one mile long wooded track, and while our neighbours the National Trust take good care of the woodland, we are concerned about fallen branches blocking access."

Last year's Minehead swim saw 200 brave swimmers take the plunge.

St Margaret's Hospice said it planned to hold the swim to coincide with its 45th birthday in early March.

"We understand how disappointing this is to our participants, however we still plan to hold this event, just a little later in the new year.

"One thing is for sure is that the sea will be just as cold," a statement said online.

Organisers of the Bristol Harbour swim, All Aboard Watersports, said its New Year's Day event has been postponed to 4 January.