AN ESTIMATED £10,000 was collected for charity at Llandudno’s Boxing Day dip.

More than 200 bathers, old, young, fat, thin, many wearing fancy dress, splashed into the sea for the traditional event.

Martin Smith, of Llandudno Lions Club, organisers of the event said: “This has possibly been the Lions Club of Llandudno's most successful dip in recent years. More than 200 dippers, many in fancy dress, took to the water. We estimate £10,000 has been raised for a number of various charities. We don’t know the exact figure but counting the money continues.

“We in the Lions Club raised money for Blood Bikes and Cancer Research from the proceeds of the grand prize raffle and our collection buckets. There were many people who attracted sponsorship for the occasion.

Cllr David Hawkins, Mayor of Llandudno said: “We estimate between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators enjoyed the spectacle of more than 200 people of all shapes and sizes, many of them in fancy dress, splashed and sploshed into the waves on Boxing Day.

“I think it attracted the biggest crowds ever, but I can’t say it was the best ever Boxing Day dip because my wife Amanda and I took part in it. If we hadn’t taken part I would definitely say it was the best ever.

“We wore stripey Victorian bathing costumes which is appropriate for a Victorian town. Everyone entered into the spirit of the day and many donned fancy costumes of all descriptions, some even wore extensive make up which didn’t really survive the sea. It was all good fun.

“The water wasn’t as cold as I had thought it might be, even so I didn’t want to linger in the sea.

“The event takes a lot of organising and we must pay tribute to the Lions Club and all the others involved in arranging the big splash. It raised considerable sums for charities, including my two nominated charities: Mind the mental health charity, and Hope Restored for the homeless.”