Daredevil dippers braved the cold and dived into a freezing river for charity.

Crowds watched as one by one brave volunteers jumped from a footbridge into the River Arun at Littlehampton to mark the twenty-first annual charity leap on New Year's Day.

Fancy dress costumes included a fairy complete with wand, schoolgirls and a caped crusader.

Ken Wilson stripped down to his underwear before leaping into the bitterly cold water.

Organiser Terry Monnery, who dressed as a crusader, said: "The leap went really well. It was very cold but it was a beautiful, sunny day.

"There were no raging New Year hangovers but the icy water definitely cleared a few heads. It refreshed the parts not reached by beer the night before."

Participants included members and friends of Arun divers and other local groups. One diver travelled from Germany to take part in the leap.

More than £1,500 raised from the event will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre at Southwick to help with the running of a hyperbaric unit.

The event began to raise money for the families of the Penlee Lifeboat crew but now raises funds for several charities.

Lifeguards in Seaford braved sub-zero sea temperatures to take part in their new year's dip.

They waded into the sea by the Salts Recreation Ground to boost the service's funds.