IT takes nerves of steel and an ability to smile in the face of adversity, but one plucky band of fundraisers proved they have just that yesterday.

While most people stayed snugly indoors as winter held the region in its grip, they not only went out to the beach, but took the plunge into the icy waters of the North Sea.

The annual Saltburn Animal Rescue Association (Sara) New Year's Day dip took place at Saltburn Pier.

Organisers hope the dip will mark the start of their most successful year to date, and will continue the work carried out last year to re-home more animals than ever and help many more.

Sara has now reached the halfway mark towards a target of £300,000 needed to open a sanctuary in the east Cleveland area.

Sheila Green, from the charity, said: "Hopefully it was our best dip yet and will make 2004 the start of a great future."

A New Year's Day fancy dress dip has become a tradition in Scarborough over the past decade and yesterday, 50 die-hards took to the water in all manners of clothes.

Aged from seven to 70, they charged into the sea for a splash-about at 1pm, and in doing, so raised more than £2,000 for charity.

The event is organised by the Lions Club and the money raised goes to local causes.