AROUND 30 brave residents from Hatherleigh will have a chilly start to 2012 as they take part in the Hatherleigh Walruses New Year's Day Dip.

Each year the group take a dip in the freezing water of the River Lew on January 1 to raise money for a range of charities.

This year the event's theme will be 'The Smurfs at the Rugby World Cup.' Swimmers will be decked out in costume as they enter the river near Hatherleigh Community Centre.

Spectators can view the swimmers from the bridge over the river as they brave the water.

The 2011 dip raised £2,100, which organisers split between Hatherleigh Primary School and the town's skate park.

In the last 24 years, the event has raised more than £50,000 for charity.

If you wish to view the swimmers, feel free to go along to the bridge at 3pm to watch the Walruses and support their efforts.