Hundreds braved the North Sea in the annual 'Boxing Day dip'

• Watch: Boxing Day dip in Tynemouth

Did you brave the cold this morning for the traditional 'Boxing Day dip'?

Hundreds lined the shores of Longsands in Tynemouth ready for the starting whistle to sprint towards the North Sea.

At Seaburn, in Sunderland, over 200 hardy souls clad in fancy dress rushed into the freezing water at for the 45th annual dip organised by the city'sLions Club.

Onlookers witnessed festive scenes of a Santa Claus and turkey running into the rough sea to raise money for their chosen charities.

Among the other quirky costumes to be seen were mermaids, lobsters, whoopie cushions and cakes all battling the bitter wind this morning.

Cries could be heard as the brave fundraisers of all ages dashed into thesea while huge crowds looked on.

Jim Nicol, 70, the Treasurer of Sunderland Lions Club and a retired finance worker, who lives in Sunderland, said: