MOST people spend New Year's morning recovering from the night before but for some people a dip in the ocean was the ideal way to welcome 2016. 

Every year groups of people run into the waves at Earnse Bay, Walney while Furness Coastguard stand watch. 

Many raise money for charity but some do it as part of their New Year's tradition. 

Today there were 13 people that took part. 

The weather was described as "absolutely fine" by coastguard rescue officer, Jason Benn. 

He was accompanied by Robert McClymont and Adam Taylor to make sure no one got in any trouble while taking part. 

Mr Benn said: "We encourage events like this but people need to be aware of the tides and the weather and if it's windy then the sea is rough and that's when we would advise people not to go in. 

"It's a brilliant event and it's something I have taken part in myself a couple of times." 

Two of the people keen to get going were Maya Coxon and her 12-year-old son Alfie. 

They were raising money for Team Jake. 

Mrs Coxon said: "It was actually Alfie's idea that we do the New Year's dip, he walked the Coniston to Barrow for Team Jake earlier this year and we did the New Year's dip last year for Christies. 

"Jake would have been a similar age to Alfie and I am friends with Jake's mum, Joanne."

Alfie, who is a student at St Bernards High School in Barrow, and his mum managed to fundraise around £200 for this morning's event. 

Alfie said: "When I did it last year it was freezing but I had a lot of fun. I plan to keep fundraising." 

Paul Illingworth from Wakefield stripped down to his swimming trunks and without looking back fiercely ran into the freezing cold water. 

Mr Illingworth and his wife were in Barrow visiting family for New Year. 

He said: "With us being in the area I just thought it would be a good idea, a great way to wake up after New Years Eve."

Mark Birrell, from Walney, Brad Palfrey, from Barrow and James McGoldrick, from Walney are three friends that have been getting involved for the past four years.

Mr Birrell said: "It's turned into our yearly tradition." 

For one woman running into the sea was something she wanted to do before she hit 40. 

Helen Marr from Walney turns 40 in November and for the New Year has made a list of things she wants to do before the big day. 

She was accompanied by her friends Steph Roberts, Debbie Abnett and Lizzie Kershaw. 

Miss Abnett said: "We are all part of Walney Wind Cheetahs and doing it for Helen. 

"I found it very cold but I'm glad we've done it."