Only two people braved sub-zero temperatures for the annual Sheerness Swimming Club Arctic Swim on Sunday.

Club president Phil Crowder, 57, and special guest Ian Arnell, 43, Swale council’s seafront manager, took a deep breath and made a splash when they plunged into the ice-cold sea.

Last year 14 members and friends including nine-year-old Ella Logon took part.

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Bearded Phil admitted afterwards, as he warmed up with a hot drink: “I was disappointed with the turn-out. We had a lot of promises but in the end only Ian and I turned up.”

A small group of sightseers including Fran Payne, president of the Kent branch of the Royal Lifesaving Society, watched from in front of the club’s unit on the promenade.

Phil said: “It was one of the coldest swims but there have been colder ones when we have had ice on the promenade. There is no secret to it. No matter how much you prepare, it is still cold and you come out numb. But it certainly wakes you up.”

The annual dip has been a regular date in the club’s calendar since 2000 although Phil remembered taking part in similar events as a 12-year-old boy with his late dad.

Former President of the Isle of Sheppey Rotary Club Margo Bronger, 77, will be holding her own arctic swim on New Year’s Day to raise money for dementia.

She said: “My brother Donald is 80 and lives with dementia so I want to raise money for research. I will be collecting for Dementia UK on the day. I have already been sponsored for £400. It would be nice to get nearer to £1,000 if possible.”

Margo, from Minster Road, Minster, will take the plunge on Monday January 1 at 11.30am in front of the Sweet Hut on Minster Leas near the Playa pub. Watling Tyres has given the self-confessed “poor swimmer” a giant bus inner tube to help her make a splash.

The former boss of the Golden Key said: “Anyone is welcome to join me but it will be at their own risk.”