In Pictures: Surf’s up – hardy souls brave the elements

Wintry weather brought challenging conditions across the country this week, with widespread flooding also left in the wake of Storm Christoph.

But surfing fans were able to take advantage of choppy seas, heading into the water at Blyth beach in Northumberland.

Watersports fans and walkers also blew away the cobwebs at Bournemouth beach in Dorset.