Around 340 brave dippers plunged into the sea to raise funds for blind toddler Freddie Penny on Boxing Day.

The annual event in Deal took place at the north side of the pier at 11am.

This year, registration fees and sponsorship went towards Freddie Penny’s appeal to raise £25,000 for life-changing stem cell therapy in Thailand.

The Honey Monster, Marilyn Monroe and a full set of cutlery were just some of the imaginative fancy dress costumes worn by dippers.

Many participants were not from the area, including siblings Sarah and Peter Baldwin from Watford, but were still keen to take part in the tradition.

Margaret Edwards, who has organised the event for 35 years, estimates around 500 people took the plunge and she hopes at least £2,000 was raised.

The youngest dipper was seven-year-old Maison Cory.

Mrs Edwards has thanked sponsors Deal Cars and Hutchings Timber as well as all the volunteers, including the Scouts and councillors Trevor Bond and Wayne Elliott.

For more information or to find out how to drop off your sponsorship money, contact Margaret Edwards on 07836 669079.