PICTURES: Brave swimmers take New Year's Day dip at Saltburn

While some of us nursed hangovers or took the opportunity to have a lie in after seeing in the new year, others had a different idea of how to start their year.

Dippers were seen jumping into the sea at swimming spots across the region including Saltburn and Whitley Bay.

In Saltburn some were pictured enduring the chilly temperatures in bikinis or swimming trunks while others wore wetsuits.

And some donned fancy dress for the charity dip in aid of animal rescue charity SARA.

There were whoops and screams as people ran into the sea.

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The quick dip has become a tradition for many on Boxing Day and January 1.

The Saltburn event has been running since the 1960s, starting as a small event before growing in popularity with more and more people joining the fun and raising money for charity.

SARA Animal Rescue said: “Thank you to everyone who came down to do the dip or came to support the dippers. We raised lots of money for the sanctuary.”

Pictures: SARAH CALDECOTT