The charity event, organised by the Lions Club of Sunderland, is believed to be one of the biggest of its kind in Europe.

Many of the fundraisers wore fancy dress to take the plunge.

It is hoped their efforts will helped top last year's fundraising total of nearly �30,000 for a variety of charities.

"The water was absolutely freezing and we've even had snow in the last few days, but it didn't seem to put anybody off," said a Lions Club spokesman.

"To see hundreds of people rinning into the North Sea in fancy dress is a spectacular sight."

Freezing winds

The number of people taking part in the dip has swelled from just 40 in its first year, 1976.

Last year's event attracted 754 swimmers, and organisers are said to be confident that numbers will reach more than 1,000 in the next few years.