Are you brave enough to make the dash at this year's Boxing Day dip?

Hartlepool Roundtable chairman Mark Rycraft makes a splash to launch the annual Boxing Day Dip.

Hartlepool Round Table wil host the 45th Boxing Day celebration as it raises funds for the area’s good causes.

Last year 500 people made the run into the icy waves as hundreds of spectators and organisers hope this year’s will be even bigger and better.

Participants at the Boxing Day dip event at Seaton Carew last year.

Many are expected to wear fancy dress for the event, with registration, which costs £5 and covers the administration expenses, to open at 10am.

The desk will be set up at the Staincliffe Hotel, which has once again offered its support, with dippers to be given facilities to change.

They will then head down to the beach at 11.30am in a parade before the signal is given to make the run into the water.

Mark Rycraft, chairman of Hartlepool Round Table, said: “A lot of people wear fancy dress and we’ve seen some really fun outfits before, but we won’t know what people come up with this year until the day.

“Once the procession has reached the beach, they then make the run into the water, as daft and as fast as they can.”

The dip is aimed at people of all ages and is not planned as a swim.

All those who take part will be welcomed into the bar of the hotel afterwards to warm up.

People can also register in advance via http://hartlepoolroundtable.co.uk/boxing-day-dip/.