Annual charity dip draws crowds

Many of those taking part donned fancy dress for the dip

More than 100 people braved the cold to take part in an annual dip in the sea in Cornwall.

It is the sixth year the Lions Club has organised the event on New Year's Day at Cawsand beach.

Men, women and children donned fancy dress and paraded through the village before dashing into the sea to raise money for their favourite charities.

"People say I'm brave or foolish - I think it's more likely the latter," participant David Rossen told BBC News.

The 67-year-old, who is also a member of the Torpoint and Rame Peninsula Lions Club, was the first plucky dipper to plunge into the water dressed as a giant heart for the South West charity HeartSWell.

Nuns and sunflowers

"He was the first one in - and the first one out," his wife Jenny said.

"It was bitterly cold and I keep telling him he's getting too old for it, but he's so enthusiastic."

The sea temperature was estimated at about 10C

People will donate 20% of the money raised to the Lions, with the remaining 80% going to the charity of their choice.

Fancy dress costumes chosen by the brave dippers included nuns, cowboys, doctors, nurses and a "bunch" of sunflowers who were raising money for the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline.

Organiser Peter Blakey said he was delighted with the turnout.

"It's a great achievement, particularly given the bitter weather conditions," he said.

"The sea temperature was between eight and 10 degrees, the air temperature was lower at about 5, but there was a really bitterly cold easterly wind, so I think it was fantastic."