Hardy swimmers are getting ready to brave the icy waters of the Irish Sea as the New Year’s Eve dip is back.

The annual event in Whitehaven, which raises between £25,000 and £30,000 a year, was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But this year the charity event, hosted by the Polar Bear Club, will go ahead as usual on the Golden Sands near The Beacon museum at 11am.

A warm-up will be held at the Hub on the harbour at 10.30am, then entrants will walk to the Golden Sands at 10.45am.

The dip is open and free to enter for anyone. Those taking part can raise cash for their own chosen charities but buckets are not allowed.

The event organisers will have collection buckets for the RNLI and the coastguard who will be in attendance.

Entrants are asked to give a small donation to the two bodies who are giving up their time for the swimmers' safety.

Disclaimers will be on The Golden Sands Polar Bear Club Facebook page and some will be available on the day.

Anyone going in the water who is under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Prizes will be awarded for the best fancy dress costumes.

A room is being provided by The Beacon for people to get changed, which will be open from 10am.

Afterwards, there will be free hot drinks for swimmers at the Boathouse Cafe under The Beacon.

The view for spectators will be restricted due to building work on the harbour.

The Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners' car parks will be free from 10am until noon to allow enough time for the warm ups, dip and getting changed afterwards.