FOR decades brave souls have taken the plunge into the icy waters to ring in the New Year. 

Today we look back through the North-West Evening Mail archives to celebrate the New Year's Day dippers from days gone by. 

The tradition of jumping into the tide is as strong as ever with people donning their trunks and swimming costumes for a spot of New Year's dipping. 

Over the years Earnse Bay, on Walney, Canal Head at Ulverston, Askam and Silecroft beaches have all welcomed dippers. Sports teams appear to be among the favourite contenders for jumping into the tide, often raising funds for charities and good causes.     

If one dip is enough to take your breath away, spare a thought for Gary Smedley who did four dips over the festive period.

Each year Mr Smedley, 45, of Ulverston does dips to raise money for a charity. This year he supported the appeal to buy a special vest for Barrow baby Lily Bown who has cystic fibrosis. Her family have been fundraising for a target of £6,000 for a physiotherapy jacket, which applies pressure to the chest to break down thick mucus and clear the lungs. It is not available on the NHS.

Mr Smedley was also raising awareness of Cancer Research as his sister Lynn Armistead is undergoing treatment for breast cancer and his dad for skin cancer. 

*Take a look at the 2016 New Year's dippers at the Evening Mail homepage www.nwemail.co.uk