Daredevils took to the water in a big way to wake up after New Year's Eve celebrations.

Some decided to take a dip in the pool at White Wells Spa on Ilkley Moor yesterday while others plunged into the River Wharfe at Otley.

A group of 15 from the Clayton branch of the national youth organisation Woodcraft Folk managed to cram themselves and four supporters into the tiny pool to break the record they set last year.

Spokesman Tony Tennant said: "It was a bit of a squeeze, especially when four other people decided to join us, but we managed it.

"Next year we are going to try for 25 - but we'll need more small kids if we are going to have a hope of fitting in."

The temperature in the pool - which is fed by water straight off the moor - is normally 6C, but this year it had risen to a luxurious 8C.

Derek Arnold, who with his wife Christine are tenants of the Bradford Council-owned White Wells Spa Cottage, was hoping to get 100 people to take the plunge during the day.

As it turned out they managed 99.

One of them, Mark Hunnebell, holds the endurance record for staying in the pool on New Year's Day at 31 minutes. And he holds the all-time record for any time of the year of 75 minutes.

But he wasn't planning to better his best.

"We're trying to take the emphasis away from endurance because of the health risks," he said.

Twenty people had a swim in the River Wharfe at Otley to blow the festive cobwebs away.

Organiser Joe Town, who teaches life-saving, was pleased so many turned up.

The 73-year-old said: "It was very successful.

"Last year we had ten so I was glad to see more."

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