CROWDS of people lined the bank of the River Lew in Hatherleigh on New Year's day to watch almost 25 brave participants plunge into the water for the 25th Hatherleigh Walruses Dip.

Organisers always stage a mini play or dance on the river bank before the jump, and this year's theme was 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.

Chairman of the organising committee for the dip, Jessica Squire, said: 'It was fantastic — the weather was dry and lots of people came to support us. We had people dressed up as 1908 style villagers — as that was the year the film was set — child catchers, the baron and baroness, inventors and the family at the centre of the story.

'We were concerned that we were not going to be able to get into the river this year but fortunately it was ok.

'It was fast flowing but everyone got in and out safely and had a really good time.

'We had a few new jumpers this time and one of them said she couldn't wait to do it again next year.'

The event raises money for charity — this year the dip raised money for Hatherleigh Children's Centre's Parents' Forum, to allow them to buy outdoor equipment and storage, and Hatherleigh Gospel Choir for a new sound system.

Every year in October dip organisers hold a meeting to allow organisations to come forward with proposals of what they would use the money for and then the committee votes on which ones to support.

This year the event raised money through sponsorship, and the committee should receive all the money raised by the end of January.