DOZENS of people took part in a chilly annual tradition at a North Yorkshire seaside town to see in the New Year.

The Scarborough New Year's Day Dip is an annual event which has been running for 23 years, and is organised by the Scarborough Lions.

The dip encourages locals and visitors to arrive at the beach in fancy dress, then run into - and quickly out of - the North Sea, with everyone taking part raising money for the Scarborough Lions and charities of their choice.

Alan Deacon, club president, said: "It went very well, we had a massive crowd down here, must have had 2-3,000 people here and close to 100 dippers, which is increasing each year.

"Although it perceives to be a little effort, it's a lot of build up to a two-hour event. All the sponsor forms and background work it's a manic, manic two hours. Taking the dippers' sponsor money along with bucket collections, we've probably taken £5,000 or more."

Among those taking part in yesterday's event were members of the Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue team, the organisation which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary, staff from the La Baia Hotel in Blenheim Terrace, but not Alan himself.

He said: "I'm far too busy organising it to take part in it - that's my story and I'm sticking to it."

Winning costumes included Conchita Wurst, Miss Piggy, and the National Elf Service.