Boxing Day dip: Hundreds take plunge in RNLI event in Southend

Hundreds of people braved icy cold water for a Boxing Day dip in the sea off the Essex coast.

Southend Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) organised three dips, one after another, to allow as many people as possible to take part.

Bathers gathered at Jubilee Beach, many of them dressed in Christmas outfits such as Santa hats and gasps and screams could be heard as entered the water.

It's the eighth year the event has been held, to raise money for the town's lifeboats.