In Pictures: Crowds out in force for Boxing Day sales, swims, hunts and races

Two-year-old Clementine Soames with pony Horlicks and one of the hounds as riders gather for the annual Fernie Hunt Boxing Day meet in Leicestershire (Joe Giddens/PA) - (PA Wire)

From grabbing a bargain to sea swimming and watching traditional sporting events, people have indulged in a range of Boxing Day activities.

Racegoers pose with performers in Christmas fancy dress outfits on King George VI Chase Day at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA) (PA Wire)

A man checks the odds in front of a tree festooned with giant decorations at Kempton (Steve Paston for The Jockey Club/PA) (PA Wire)

Riders gather for the annual Fernie Hunt Boxing Day meet in Leicestershire (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Wire)

Two-year-old Summer pets the hounds at the annual Leicestershire hunt meet (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Wire)

Shoppers flock to London’s Oxford Street in the search for bargains in the Boxing Day sales (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

Boxing Day footfall was down 9.4% across all UK retail destinations by 12pm in comparison with last year, according to figures (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

Swimmers wearing Father Christmas hats braved the chilly water for the Boxing Day dip on Tynemouth beach (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

Dozens of people took part in the annual event in the North East (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)