FUNDRAISERS welcomed in the New Year with an icy sea dip for charity.

About 75 brave volunteers made a dash for the chilly waves off Harwich beach on New Year's Day morning.

It was the second time the event has been held by the Alma Inn in Harwich with staff, customers and volunteers all joining in.

Landlord Nick May said: "We just ran in together, some swam a bit and others were in and straight out again.

"We had about 75 people went in I think and 200 people watching, which is by a long way the most we've had.

"Some went in wetsuits and some in trunks and others in fancy dress.

"It was brilliant.

"We want to keep this going every year now."

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

The New Year's Day dip is raising money for mental health charity North Essex Mind, but organisers don't yet know how much money has been donated.

Last year's event raised more than £1,000 for St Helena Hospice.

Nick added: "It was good fun, "We went in our trunks and stayed in for six minutes, which was the longest of anyone there.

"It was very col, it was about five degrees in there."

Anyone still wanting to donate can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/almainnnewyearsswim