GALLERY: It's back with a vengeance '“ New Year dip in Bognor Regis

The enthusiastic response from the 44 participants to the return of the new year's day dip delighted its organisers at the town's Lions club.

The money raised was more than three times the annual proceeds from the event's most recent stagings.

Those taking part in the dip outnumbered any in the 16 years in which Lions press officer Richard Johns has run the fun occasion.

He said: "This dip has created a record for the amount of money it will bring in and the number of dippers. This is what the event is all about. It's a fun way to wind down from Christmas and start the new year as well as doing some good.

"There is no other day of the year on which we could do this and have the same atmosphere. Hopefully, the success of today's event will encourage people to keep entering the dip in the future. If this is the sort of response we are going to get, we will definitely be holding the dip next year '“ and for years after that."

It was the 36th dip to be held by the Lions in 40 years. The last official occasion was in 2006, although five people kept the tradition alive on the following January 1. But a lack of interest caused the 2008 dip to be cancelled.

Clamour for the fun to be restarted began to grow in the autumn.

Mr Johns took the decision to go ahead and was rewarded by an unprecedented result. The turnout was boosted by large contingents from Bognor RFC, the Tone Zone Runners based at Felpham and one led by local resident Vicki Salisbury.

Those who made the dip's return so worthwhile were faced with an air temperature of 1.6C on a cloudy and still day as they made the long dash from Bognor Regis Yacht Club across the pebbles and sand into the low tide where it was 'warmer' at 4.9C.

Nearly all of them entered into the spirit of the occasion by donning fancy dress '“ pirates, a nun, a sailor, Father Christmas and some old-fashioned bathing costumes were among the outfits '“ as they took the plunge under the watchful eye of lifeguards and St John Ambulance volunteers.

Most spent a minute or so submerging themselves in the sea before making the return journey to the warm showers at the yacht club. Some 150 spectators watched from the relative comfort of the shore.

The good causes which will benefit from the dippers' goosepimples and shivers include the work of the Lions and charities nominated by the individuals.

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