More than 400 strip off for chilly annual charity skinny dip

Druridge Bay in the north east welcomed hundreds of brave skinny dippers yesterday (Sunday) for the annual North East Skinny Dip.

The event, which was started in 2012, raises money for MIND charity with each participant paying a £12 entry fee that goes to the mental health charity.

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This year saw the event's largest turn out yet with a staggering 440 people registering to strip off and take a dip in the icy cold waters.

According to their Facebook page the North East Skinny Dip takes plane each year in September, 'as close to the Autumn Equinox' as possible.

They state: "The event isn't about looking good. It's about taking a risk, celebrating our unique bodies, being close to nature, raising money for charity and maybe even breaking a world record!"

The event also encourages participants to raise money for the charity and this year's fundraising page has amassed a total of £371 so far on top of the approximately £5,300 total raised from entry fees.

Jax Higginson organises the fun-filled event and she told the Chronicle the event always gets a positive response.

She added: "People do it one year then come back again and again. We've grown every year so far - people come back with a friend."

The autumn equinox determines the end of summer and the beginning of autumn: on this date the length of day and night are the same. In 2016 the equinox was Thursday 22 September.

You can donate to this year's fundraising total online at Virgin Money or you can donate directly to MIND online here.