Sidmouth Garden Centre has laid down the gauntlet for other local businesses to undertake the ice-bucket challenge.

Owner Ian Barlow and James Trevett braved the wet and the cold to be the first challengers to be covered in 140 litres of ice cold water, on Wednesday evening.

Based on the social media craze, Mr Barlow accepted the challenge from the Herald and has nominated three more Sidmouth businesses to follow suit, donating money to a charity of their choice.

Mr Barlow, a Sidmouth town councillor, said: “We nominate Mark Sheppard from Waitrose, Mark Seward of Dukes, Edward Willis Fleming of Sidmouth by Design and Stefan Gordon and his team at the Herald.”

“We want to get the ball rolling; if we get five donations a week for a local charity it makes a difference to the people of the area.”

Four large buckets were filled with water and ice, before Alan Walker, Chris Jones, Rob Jackson and Harrison Jones poured them over their bosses’ heads.

Despite the poor weather the men were completely drenched but stayed in place to the last drop.

Mr Trevett said: “We’re calling our friends and influential people to do it and get involved.”

The ice bucket challenge started raising money for people suffering with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has taken the world by storm.

The rules of the ice bucket challenge are to be immersed in ice water and make a donation to charity, with the process all captured on camera.

The garden centre will donate £100 to Hospiscare East Devon Hospice Appeal. The charity is trying to raise £250,000 to build and run a new day care centre in Honiton that will serve Sidmouth residents and others in East Devon.

Those nominated have a week to complete the challenge and can choose three more businesses.