Hundreds of people will be starting the New Year afresh with a quick dip in the Irish Sea.

Beaches across the island will once again be awash with dippers, who will run into the cold January waves in their bathing suits or in fancy costume on New Year’s Day (Wednesday).

The Douglas dip organisers - Breast Cancer Now and Beach Buddies - are planning to smash last year’s record for their event.

An event spokesman said: ’It’s really easy to get involved.

’All you have to do is turn up in whatever outfit you like, take a walk down the beach and either dip your toes in the water or take a run and dive in headlong!

’There is no entry fee, but we hope people will be generous and place a donation in the collection buckets, and we’re hoping spectators will also dig deep to help these two excellent causes.

’Just come along for a great fun event for all the family, and let’s break the record (again) this year. Douglas is by miles and miles the biggest town on the island, so we should be able to do this easily.’

Dippers will meet at the Promenade Pavilion opposite the Queen’s Hotel at 12.30pm along with their signed and printed sign up form. The entry can be found here: www.douglasdip.com/

A wristband will be given that must be worn at all times.

Marshals in pink hi-vis vests will be on hand to help people register for the dip and provide safety on the day. The dip is weather-dependant, therefore dippers must ensure they check the event’s website on the day to see if it’s still on.

Another well-attended event is the Peel New Year Dip, which began in 1983. It will start at midday.

A number of charities have been chosen to benefit, including the Isle of Man branch of Huntington’s Disease Association.

Sponsorship forms for those doing the dip can be collected from Green’s Jewellers in Michael Street, Peel.

Several dips will take place in the south of the island.

They include: Chapel Beach dip at Port St Mary at 10am then refreshments at Cornerhouse coffee; Port St Mary inner harbour at 10.45am then refreshments at Albert Hotel; Gansey beach at 11.30am then refreshments at Shore Hotel; Port Erin beach at 12.15pm then refreshments at The Bay Hotel.

The Port Erin dip will have prizes - sponsored by Bushys - for the best dressed dipper.

It’s the 19th year of this event with the four dips raising £60,000 over 75 dips.

Last year’s events raised £4,526.56 for Mannin Sepsis and the chosen charity for 2020 is the Manx Stroke Foundation. Donation buckets will be out for collections on the day.

Tips given by the organisers are to bring lots of layers of dry clothing and some old trainers for Gansey beach as it’s stoney.

Another dip down in the south is the Castletown Ale Drinkers Society’s event.

This will take place at 2pm from the outer harbour with all proceeds going to Mannin Cancer.

Sponsorship forms are available from the Union or The Garrison in Castletown.

The Ramsey New Year Chilly Dip 2020 starts outside the RNLI Station with registration open from 10am with the dip at 11am.

Last year’s event had 166 dippers register and £1,408 was raised for Bunscoill Rhumsaa and Ramsey RNLI.

Laxey New Year’s Dip takes place on the beach at noon and is in aid of Manx Muscular Dystrophy.

Sponsorship forms are available from the Shore Hotel.

The organisers would like to thank Paul Phillips of the hotel for his support.

The ninth annual Kirk Michael New Year’s Day Dip will see dippers meet at 11.45am at Glen Wyllin beach. It’s organised by Matt Callister and his family and there will be a bucket collection.