Daring swimmers will brave the freezing sea water at two fundraising dips over the New Year.

Hardy fundraisers wearing fancy dress costumes are set to run into the sea at Whitehaven on New Year's Eve for the annual dip.

The event, which raises between £25,000 and £30,000 a year, will see community folk enter the water at Whitehaven at 12pm on December 31.

Gary McKee, the award-winning fundraiser from Cleator Moor, who ran 100 marathons in 100 days, will be starting this year's event.

Entrants can raise cash for their own chosen charities, and are asked to meet at the Hub for 11.15am. People are asked to sign up beforehand at the Wellington Bistro, underneath The Beacon.

The annual event is organised by John O’Brien, Andy Sloan and Jake Mattinson.

Anyone under 18 will need parental supervision. The RNLI and coastguard will be in attendance.

Prizes will be awarded for the best fancy dress costumes.

Also, on New Year's Eve, a dip will be taking place at St Bees at 1.30pm.

It is being organised by the Cumbria Rungwe Community Link, which runs an exchange programme.

Swimmers are invited to meet at the slipway at 1.30pm.

People, who want to take part in the charity event, can set up their own fundraising page, via: mydonate.bt.com/events/crcl/453045

Julia Lee, of CRCL, said: "We’re keen to be working in the community and promote CRCL as a charity that really involves everyone. After all, we are a community link. We want to be a community link all year round; not just during the three weeks of the inward visit when we host our guests from Rungwe."

For those brave enough, a fundraising dip, for different causes, is also taking place on New Year's Day at St Bees.

Brave swimmers can meet at the RNLI station at 11am on January 1.

Tea and coffee will be available afterwards and showers are also available.

It is organised by Adam Nichol, chairman of St Bees Triers, supported by his wife Emma as well as Dick Beddows and Colin Wadey from the RNLI.

Emma said: "The RNLI support us massively by being out in the water with us and by offering shelter and hot drinks before and after.

"We aim to raise funds for the RNLI and to try to beat last years total of £670."

People are recommended to bring a towel and warm clothes for afterwards. Trainers are also recommended as the beach can be rocky.

Details are available on the group's Facebook page: St Bees New Years Day Dip 2018