A group of wild swimmers have become Norfolk's answer to the Calendar Girls by stripping off to pose for photoshoots on beaches across the county.

Anita Brain, from Ludham, started wild swimming as a stress reliever in March 2021 after becoming burned out from working as a care home manager during the pandemic.

She has since moved into a new role as a clinical nurse manager for Marie Curie and wanted to do something to raise money for the organisation.

Ms Brain started wild swimming to destress from her high-pressure jobMs Brain started wild swimming to destress from her high-pressure job (Image: Anita Brain)

Ms Brain said that after a friend planted the seed in her mind, the creation of the calendar "took on a life of its own".

"Someone said 'we could make a calendar - you know, Calendar Girls style'," she said.

"It snowballed from there. I messaged wild swimmers who have become friends and asked if they would like to take their clothes off for charity.

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"They were a mixed bunch, with some responding with 'thanks, but not my thing' - but the extroverts among them were an emphatic yes."

Ms Brain said the first pictures were terrible, with everyone feeling nervous and cold until "something amazing happened".

"People’s confidence grew," she recalled. "They became increasingly at ease with themselves and with each other and the pictures changed.

'I love myself for being brave enough to do it''I love myself for being brave enough to do it' (Image: Anita Brain)

"The smiles were real and people were genuinely having fun. That definitely shows in the pictures."

One participant, who does not want to be named, said: "I love myself for being brave enough to do it at a time when I 'hate' my body the most.

"It's all a journey and I feel like this has helped me take a few more steps towards loving myself."

The calendars are available to pre-order from whitewavepoemsandprints.co.uk, with proceeds going towards Marie Curie.