New Year is an ice-breaker for Yorkshire's hardy swimmers

And just a few miles down the road on Ilkley Moor, there was a good turnout for the annual dip in the icy waters at White Wells spa cottage, a tradition that can be traced back to 1703 when "taking the water" was a popular tonic.

For Ronald Shackleton, 61, it was his 15th New Year swim in the Wharfe. The self-employed builder from Ilkley swam around 25 metres before getting out.

"It was very cold this year," he said. "You can't be in there too long."

It was a family affair for swimmer Carole Deighton, 67, from Morley, Leeds, who was joined in the chilly Wharfe water by her grandson James Hobkirk, 14. Her daughter Ursula Hobkirk had a cold and decided to give it a miss.

Mrs Deighton has been taking a New Year swim for 14 years and it was the third time for James.

"It was very very cold, so cold that you didn't feel cold, just numb. It was bitterly cold in the water. There was ice on the ground as we made our way to the water. It was the coldest it has been for a long time," she said.

After swimming about 25 metres she went to the pub for a warmer. Mrs Deighton, a retired accountant and trained lifesaver, enjoyed a couple of whiskies.