Swimmers brave cold North Sea for Boxing Day dips

Blyth dippers took to the water to raise money for good causes

Hardy swimmers braved the North Sea for the annual Boxing Day dips.

At England's most northerly beach, at Spittal, Berwick-upon-Tweed, hundreds turned out for a brief dip in the chilly waters.

Canon Alan Hughes, master of ceremony, said many people were raising money for charity, with Berwick Lifeboat and Coastguard crews on hand to keep everyone safe.

Julie Butler said she and her friend, Joanne Dodds, had organised the event at Blyth beach in Northumberland for the last seven years and she loved the community's "enthusiasm" for the event.

Hundreds of people took part in the annual Boxing Day dip at Spital in Berwick-upon-Tweed

She said money raised at this year's event was being donated to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.

"We love organising the event and the community are really enthusiastic," she said.

"We do it for local charities and to help people like Joe Chestock, a young man from my estate who was paralysed while out in Australia in April and has had to rebuild his life back in the UK.

"The turnout today has been amazing and I think the sun has helped a lot."

Blyth dip organiser Julie Butler, pictured with husband Sean, said she loved the community's "enthusiasm" for the event

A dipper in a lobster costume braves the cold sea in Berwick

Hundreds also took the plunge at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland, Longsands beach in Tynemouth, Seaburn in Sunderland and Little Haven in South Shields.

Mrs Butler added: "The feeling when you get into the water is amazing, you dread it but it makes you feel euphoric.

"You get out there and back and you feel a sense of warmth because everyone has done it as a team and it's brilliant."

Dippers braced the waves at Longsands beach at Tynemouth

Piper Andrew Smith played the dippers into the chilly sea at Berwick-upon-Tweed