It may have been August, but the River Thames is still very cold at 7.30am.

If you doubt that statement, just ask any of these hardy souls who took the plunge in the summer of 1977.

These were the competitors in the annual police swim, from Folly Bridge to Iffley.

And that year, it wasn’t only policemen and women who took part – intrepid Oxford Mail reporter Mick Seamark went too!

He wrote afterwards: “Believe me, at that time of the morning, the Thames is cold, very cold, and after the initial plunge, it takes a couple of minutes to get back any feeling in your body.

“The legs go numb, the lower half of the body seems to disappear and that river water has to be tasted to be believed.

“I know, I was one of the swimmers – 20 or so police officers, cadets and guests – who proved a source of amusement to early risers holidaying on the pleasure craft moored on the river.

“My pre-swim plan was to stay with the two Pcs from the Oxford Coroner’s office, Derek Buller and Alan Stock – I thought I might be able to put some business their way!

“Armed with a stomach full of Shreddies and lined up with Oxford Chief Supt Ivan Forder, an inspector, an assortment of policemen and women and some talented guest swimmers, we set off.

“The tide was with us – or so they said – but it made little difference, and the only thing that kept me going was the promise of a tot of rum at the finishing line.

“With that thought in my mind, I crossed the finishing line in a creditable ninth place, after 41 minutes and three seconds in the water.“ The race had been won seven minutes earlier by Pc Richard Tyrrell, from Cowley, his 10th win in the event, in a record-breaking time.

He pushed his arch rival, Wpc Janet Dell, into second place.

Janet, stationed at St Aldate’s, was a member of an Oxford relay team that had recently swum the English Channel.

But on this occasion, she was no match for ‘Tub’ Tyrrell.

Third police officer home was Derek Buller, followed by Alan Stock. First cadet over the line was Meriel Williams, who finished fifth.

Most of the competitors vowed to be back for the 1978 race, except a certain Mr Seamark, who said once was definitely enough!