Only the brave turned out on Boxing Day as part of an annual tradition.

The brave souls suffered through the icy Llandudno waters as part of the Boxing Day dip all in the name of charity.

Spectators cheered on participants as they waded into the water in all manner of fancy dress costumes, ranging from Santa Clause and elves to racing car drivers and Mickey Mouse.

Lions Club of Llandudno secretary, and former president, Martin Smith said: "It always amazes me the amount of people you see standing on the beach and run out in swimming gear or with a costume.

"The time and effort that goes into these costumes is amazing.

"We always get that core group that come down and get into the spirit no matter what the conditions."

Sue Lewis and Donna Poynton were taking part in the dip for the fifth time this year and said while it was cold, they managed to stay in the chilly water for the longest time yet.

Mrs Lewis' daughter also took part in the dip for this first time this year and after the dip said: "It was cold, but it was also pretty nice."

Mr Smith said it was the tradition that kept bringing people back the event each year and it had been great to see the continual growth of the Boxing Day dip since it started nearly 30 year ago.

The Lions Club had expected record numbers for this years event, with St David's Hospice being nominated as the major beneficiary of the dip expected to attract extra numbers.

Llandudno Mayor councillor Francis Davies attended the dip and said it was great to see so many people turn out for another dip.

Cllr Davies said: "It was a wonderful turnout, all doing it for good causes, not just St David's Hospice.

"It was great to see the enthusiasm of some people. It's a great opportunity for people to turn up for charity, in their fancy dress costumes and take part in the dip."

While a final amount raised on the day was yet to be counted they were hoping to raise more than £5000 to be shared amongst St David's Hospice, Llandudno RNLI, St John's Ambulance and the town band.

Mr Smith said: "Money raised then for other charities would be in excess of £10,000, on top of what we have raised.

"That's the reason for it (doing the Boxing Day dip), people feel it is an opportunity to put something back in."

Among those core participants braving the ice cold sea water yet again was a veteran of the event with more than 25 year of experience.

Llandudno mother, Val Conway took part in her 25th Boxing Day dip yesterday, an event she has used as part of her 50 years of fundraising for her charity Shine.

This was expected to be Ms Conway last dip, which she used to aid Shine and her local church.

She has had a particular focus over the past 16 years, having lost her daughter at the age of 32, in 2001, to spina bifida.

Since then she has been raising funds for the spina bifida and hydrocephalus side of the charity.

Ms Conway said: “I didn’t know where to turn to when I had Susie (who was born with spina bifida), so I contacted Shine and they were wonderful.

"Each year I dress up for the swim and this year I was Minnie Mouse.”

She has helped organise fundraising pram races for Shine for 19 years and for the past 15 years, she has organised the Susie Sunshine Walk.

The walk along the Llandudno Promenade in memory of Susie has raised thousands of pounds for Shine - including more than £3,400 since 2012 alone.

Ms Conway said it is a lovely way to keep Susie’s memory alive.

She added: “Susie was always smiling and the people of Llandudno named her Susie Sunshine.”

Shine CEO, Kate Steele, said: "We’re extremely lucky and very grateful to Val for everything she has done to make a positive difference to the lives of people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

"I know that many in Llandudno who have the good fortune to know Val will agree."