CHRISTMAS cheers sounded out in West Mersea as more than 90 people took part in the Boxing Day dip.

Organised by the RNLI the event is in its seventh year and is getting bigger every time.

About 1,500 people watched on from the beach by Coast Road as the dippers braved the waves and raised thousands of pounds for the charity.

Spokesman Godfrey Thomas said: “It went extremely well.

“We had 92 dippers and there were more people on the beach than we had ever seen.

“People come and stay for Christmas and come out and watch so we have people from all over the world.

“The sun was out, it was superb and could not have been any better.

“People were extremely generous with collecting buckets heavy with coins and light with notes.
“A great success.”

Volunteers are still busy counting up how much the annual event raised while the dippers dry off and warm up.