SUPERMAN, Popeye and a hot dog on legs all took the plunge at Whitehaven’s annual New Year dip.

More than 100 costumed and scantily-clad people flung themselves into the freezing Irish Sea for the annual charity event.

Despite the cold weather, hundreds more people gathered to support the swimmers.

Whitehaven Brass Band led the procession from the harbour to the scene of the plunge at Golden Sands beach.

The dip, started by Copeland’s mayor Mike Starkie, raises thousands of pounds for different charities and this year was no different.

Dip organiser Gary McKeating said: “I’m pleased with the turnout after seeing the weather – I think Storm Frank hit numbers a little bit but everyone who was here seemed to enjoy it.

“I’d like to thank the Whitehaven Brass Band for leading us off, the RNLI and the Coastguard. I’d especially like to thank Mike Starkie for coming to set us off and we hope we’ll be able to get him in next year!”

Ben Sloan, 38, from Frizington, and Tony Kirkbride, 52, from Whitehaven, paid tribute to Lemmy from Motorhead with their costumes.

Tony said: “We’re raising money for Calderwood House (a homeless hostel in Egremont), because we go to Solfest with Rachel who runs it.

“It’s a brilliant place. Lemmy was a last-minute idea but we’re big Motorhead fans.”

Kelly Anderson, 32, dressed as a strawberry, and her fiancé Jonathon Manford, 26, wearing a banana costume, were raising money for victims of flooding in Cumbria. Kelly said: “I think we’re doing it because we’re stupid and like to do crazy things. But we thought it was important to support flood vicitms because it has happened to some people three or four times now and we need to help them out.”

After the dip, participants received free warm food and drinks from the Wellington Bistro on the harbourisde.

The Coastguard and the RNLI were on duty to ensure the safety of all participants.

See The Whitehaven News for a picture special on the dip - as well as St Bees Triers' New Year's Day dip.