Hundreds of people donned their swimsuits and braved the wintry weather as they took part in a Boxing Day dip.

Men, women and children wearing fancy dress and Santa hats flocked to Deal Pier this morning for the annual charity event.

Organisers from the town's Rotary Club believe as many as 500 people descended on the beach for the fundraiser, as temperatures dipped to 8C.

Group president Marlene Burnham told KentOnline: "I think the better weather did help - it was sunny with clear blue skies.

"But I believe the water was very, very cold."

Ms Burnham says the number of participants is the highest the event has seen since the Rotary Club took started running it four years ago.

The swimmers walked into the sea at 11am today, and only needed do be in the water for a few seconds to complete the challenge.

Called the Deal Boxing Day Dip, the event has been held every year since 1981 and raised more than £50,000 since its inception.

Ms Burnham does not yet known how much this year's event has generated.