IT’S going to be a wet and cold start to Christmas Day for a hardy bunch of people who dive into the North Sea to support Clacton’s traditional swim.

More than 100 swimmers and paddlers are expected to make the seasonal dash down the beach on Christmas morning.

The Christmas Day dip has been running for 55 years. It was originally organised by Clacton Swimming Club and one of the founder members, Fred Eastman, of Eastcliff Avenue, is still taking the plunge every year.

This year, he hopes to be joined by at least one of his sons and some grandchildren including 17-year-old Tom Eastman who is playing for the Ipswich Town academy.

Many of the intrepid swimmers also wear fancy dress for the dip.

The Christmas Day swim is on the beach below Nelson Road with a prompt start at 10am.