Wind, hail and rain did little to deter Wharfedale residents welcoming the New Year in traditional style. Hardy residents in Otley and Ilkley braved icy waters for a traditional start to the year.

At Otley, dozens of people lined the riverbank at Wharfe meadows Park to watch around 20 people jump into the Wharfe.

Colin Goddard travelled from Allerton Bywater to brave the icy river.

This was the 12th year the 61-year-old had taken part.

He said: "It is tradition and that's why we do it every year."

He added: "It was cold but not as bad as you might think. We have had it colder and there have been some years when we've had to break the ice to get it."

Organiser Joe Town, 81, a former member of the now defunct Aireborough Lifesavers, was on hand to show the others how it should be done.

In Ilkley, adults and children leapt into the plunge pool at the 18th century White Wells Spa.

Visitors were pelted with hail and some were covered in mud as they made the climb up to the pool but they soldiered on.

More than 100 people were expected to take part in the annual event which attracted spectators from as far as South Africa.

This was the second year 48-year-old Peter Earle, of Springs Lane, Ilkley, took part.

Clutching a towel as he waited in line for his turn, he said: "Last time my neighbour was doing it to raise money for charity so I thought it was a good idea.

"It is supposed to promote well-being but I have to admit it wasn't as bad as I expected it would be.

"This year I said I'd do it if Alex did, but I didn't expect him to go through with it."

Despite admitting nerves, first-timer Alex Smith, 14, of Moorfield Road, Baildon, rose to the challenge and took the plunge.

South African, Barbara Bull, 38, was at the spa with her nephews, 12-year-old Tom and Jack Bearpark, ten.

She said: "I think it is absolutely amazing and I have never seen anything quite like it.

"It seems like a really fun way to start the new year."

The boys' mum, Anetta Bearpark, 43, of Bridge Lane, Ilkley, said she'd tried to talk her sons out of it but they loved coming to the spa every year.