YOU would have to be a really dedicated swimmer to brave the sea off the North Kent coast this week.

A cold snap meant the water froze in places as temperatures plummeted to several degrees below freezing.

Retired Kentish Gazette photographer Derek Stingemore braved the weather for a bracing walk at Seasalter, near Whitable, where in places there was up to six inches of frozen water or snow.

Experts are predicting more freezing weather until the weekend.