DOZENS of volunteers braved the icy seas in Barmouth to keep an annual tradition alive.

Storm Frank’s cold easterly winds were not enough to deter the hardy volunteers of Barmouth RNLI from taking their annual New Year’s Day dip into the waters of Cardigan Bay

Despite the weather, crowds of supporters battled through to watch over 40 people take the plunge to raise money for the RNLI.

At 11am, on the instructions of coxswain Peter Davies, they raced down the beach and threw themselves into the icy waters, some in fancy dress, one or two in wetsuits, and some in very little at all.

It wasn’t just the swimmers who enjoyed the excitement - the crew were joined again this year by friends and visitors from far and wide.

Gricela and Izabella from New York, who were staying with friends from Llanelltyd, joined in and a couple said the sea was much warmer in Barmouth than in their home town of Scarborough.

They all brought a welcome splash of colour and fun to the first day of 2016 on Barmouth beach.

Hot drinks and a warming barbecue breakfast were served in the lifeboat station, and the cannons were fired at noon in remembrance of past crew members.

The crew and volunteers said they are extremely grateful to locals and visitors for their continuing generosity to the RNLI, and wish to thank everyone for their support.