New year swimmers brave icy dip

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Swimmers across England braved icy conditions to take a New Year's Day dip in the sea.

About 50 people welcomed the start of 2007 with a morning splash off the Northern Promenade of Whitley Bay on the North East coast.

Organisers of a fund-raising swim in Bexhill, East Sussex, called for "no wet suits, no dry suits, no wimps".

And in Brighton, members of the city's swimming club swam for 10-15 minutes, as they do almost every day.

Club member Keith Marlton, 69, said: "Sea conditions have to be pretty bad for us not to go in - rain and snow doesn't worry us.

"It was still a bit turbulent from yesterday's south-westerly winds, but it was very nice to get a clear head after last night's celebrations.

"I would recommend it."

The East Sussex swim was in aid of St Michael's Hospice in St Leonards on Sea and took place at Bexhill's sailing club.