Chilling out with a Fleetwood sea-dip on New Year's Day

Around 60 brave swimmers took to the waters with a crowd of 200-plus staying warm and dry to cheer them on from the shore.

The cold water proved too much for one woman, who had to be rescued by a team of Coastguard officers at the event. A spokesman said rescuers went in the water in dry suits to help her to shore after spotting her ‘struggling’.

Phil Gibson, from Fleetwood Kite Club which organises the event, said: “It was wavy, so you had no option but to get in and get wet – and get out as soon as possible.

It was a great turn out, a really eclectic crowd; some in fancy dress, members of Fleetwood Gym Football Club, which is fund-raising for a tournament later this year, and the Miscarriage Support Group took part.

“It’s great to get the community out on New Year’s Day. I’m not sure if it’s my age, but it seems to get colder every year!”