Weather for North Sea

Hundreds of people braved the harsh weather in Yorkshire today to enjoy a Boxing Day dip in the North Sea at a Redcar beach.

The hardy souls - many, donning fancy dress - took part in the annual tradition despite severe weather battering parts of the region.

A young woman was captured shivering in the sea in a skimpy elf costume, while a man was seen sporting a Batman outfit.

Others dressed up as animals such as penguins and tigers - and one woman even fixed an inflatable horse to her body.

The swimmers were watched by fully-dressed members of the public, who huddled under their umbrellas and cheered them on.

The dip in Redcar, North Yorkshire, is held annually to raise hundreds of pounds for a wide range of local and national charities.

Today's event came as the Met Office issued two red alerts for potentially deadly rain in the same day for the first time ever.

One of these alerts was put in place for Yorkshire & Humber, while the other affected Lancashire.

Rescue teams were sent out in the regions to help people evacuate their flooded homes, as Boxing Day football matches were cancelled.

Red alerts are the highest possible warnings, meaning there is 'a danger to life'.

A bit chilly: Hundreds of people - including this trio - braved the harsh weather in Yorkshire today to enjoy a Boxing Day dip in Redcar

Hilarious: Many of the hardy souls donned fancy dress costumes, including this woman (centre) who fixed an inflatable horse to her body

Brave: A man was captured running out of the North Sea in a skirt (left), while a young woman was seen shivering in an elf outfit (right)

A big audience: The swimmers were watched by fully-dressed members of the public, who huddled under umbrellas and cheered them on

Squealing: The dip in Redcar, North Yorkshire, is held annually to raise hundreds of pounds for a range of local and national charities

In good spirits: Some of the participants dressed up as animals - including this cheerful pair, who waded into the water in penguin outfits

Stripping off: Today's event came as the Met Office issued two red alerts for potentially deadly rain in the same day for the first time ever

Wahey! The swimmers were watched by hundreds as they charged into the cold waters of the North Sea in swimwear and fancy dress

Feeling the cold: A young boy was captured gasping (left) as he waded through the water with another youngster, who also pulled a face

Flooded: One of today's red alerts was put in place for Yorkshire & Humber, while the other affected Lancashire. Above, a woman clings onto a wall for support as she walks down a flooded street in Otley, North Yorkshire, where the river Wharfe, has burst its banks