Charity dippers take to the waves

It's also low tide so the dippers, instead of hopping off the promenade and a few yards down the beach, will have a long walk to get to the water Margaret Trewhitt In pictures

Swimmers across the north-east of England took to the waves for traditional Boxing Day charity dips.

Hundreds of people, many in fancy dress, braved the chilly North Sea to raise money for charity.

The events, which are also popular with spectators, included swims at Whitley Bay, Redcar and Newbiggin.

The plunge at Seaburn, near Sunderland, is believed to be one of the biggest in Europe and has been running for more than 30 years.

At Newbiggin in Northumberland, swimmers had further to run to the sea than in previous years, as a new beach was created in 2007 using imported sand.

Margaret Trewhitt, one of the organisers speaking before the annual event, said: "This time we have got this huge expanse of sand.

"It's also low tide so the dippers, instead of hopping off the promenade and a few yards down the beach, will have a long walk to get to the water.

"It should be really nice."