Hundreds of people gathered in Dover and Deal this morning to watch the annual Boxing Day Dip.

The event in Deal, which is organised by Margaret Edwards of Deal Icebreakers 1981, took place at 11am at the north side of the pier.

The pier, and both sides of the beach were packed with spectators.

Money raised will benefit mental health support group Talk It Out and the Sir Norman Wisdom dementia suite at the Deal Centre.

In addition, groups have raised cash for their own charities.

Dippers in Dover took the plunge at midday, with some people dubbing the event the best turn out in years.

The event at Dover Esplanade is organised by Dover Lifeguard Club each year.

Pat Austin, the main organiser at the club, said that a badge system which demonstrates how many times people have taken the plunge, is what encourages residents each year.

She said there are special badges handed out for when people reach milestones of 10, 20, 30 and now 40 years.

The weather was grey and gloomy on the day but the dippers avoided the rain.

The Moore family who came dressed as inflatable animals raised money for the Lord Taverners which helps disabled and disadvantaged children get back into sport.

Nick Moore, 26, said: "We do it every year, we come down and just have a good laugh."

Lifeguard Kaira Redman said: "I started when I was really small and then I started working my way up the lifeguarding syllabus.

"It is amazing to see all the people who come and do the dip, it is good to give back to the community."

For the follow up story and pictures pick up the Mercury, out on Wednesday.