Hundreds of people took a break from Christmas at home on Monday to enjoy the crazy spectacle of the annual charity extravaganza of the Boxing Day Dip.

Deal Pier and the seafront was packed with people and the crowd was estimated to almost touch the 1,000 mark.

Nuns, pirates, Mickey Mouse, Smurfs, Greek goddesses, fairies, tarts and vicars, a variety of animal outfits and swimmers in Santa hats were among the madcap dippers.

Margaret Edwards said: "We had the biggest crowd ever for our 30th anniversary Boxing Day Dip and I am hoping to break all the records from sponsorship, this year for the Pilgrims Hospice."

In 2002 the oldest Boxing Day Dip swimmer at 70 was Kathleen Gisby, who died in April, so her family and friends decided to take part as a tribute to her. They wore T-shirts featuring her picture and the youngest of the group was Lily Birchall at 12.

The oldest was Jane Gisby, 56 who said after emerging from the sea: "That was very exhilarating and I am signing up for next year now."

Alex Cotton from Kingsdown and mum Gwen Cotton from St Margaret’s were transformed into Smurfs for their dip and Andrew Bushell from Deal took part for the first time dressed as a convict, complete with ball and chain.

Emma Bogue, 22, said: "I just felt like doing something for charity, rather than staying at home and carrying on eating!"

* For full story and more pictures buy the East Kent Mercury on Thursday.