HARDY swimmers donned bikinis, nun’s habits and onesies before plunging into the icy sea at Scarborough for the annual New Year’s Day Dip.

The freezing water and miserable weather failed to deter the resort’s swimmers from descending on South Bay. Many donned fancy dress while others opted for swimwear.

The event, now in its 22nd year, attracts scores of participants and spectators who see it as the perfect way to blow away the cobwebs or to raise funds for charity.

Among them was 14-year-old Henry Simpson-Lucas, of Nether Poppleton, who is raising funds towards a school charity trip to Romania.

Henry wore a Santa outfit and is hoping to raise up to £800 to meet the costs of travelling with more than 20 fellow pupils at Manor CE Academy to the eastern European country, where they intend to carry out work at an orphanage.

Henry said anyone else willing to sponsor him could phone 01904 783477.