IN PICTURES: New Year's Day bathtub race at Poole Quay

The popular event sees teams, decked out in fancy dress, brave the cold water to race each other along the length of Poole Quay.

The charity event typically attracts around 3,000 spectators and has been running for more than 40 years.

It was unable to go ahead last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, the teams set off at around 11.40am from Poole Bridge and headed towards Poole Quay boat haven.

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Moz Tombs, owner of The Foundry Arms pub, took part in the race.

He said: "It was just amazing, it's probably the best day off the year anyway but the crowd were just brilliant, they all joined in, everyone was having a laugh and it was just like normal life."

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"There weren't as many baths this year, there was probably only about five or six of us this year but there were a lot of people in the crowd which was lovely to see, I've still got the bruises from all the eggs they threw at me.

"We do it every year and we didn't sink this year so we were really happy, I don't think anyone is really in it to win it, everyone was just having a good time and jumping in the water.

"It was a wonderful atmosphere and a lovely way to start the New Year, it's always great every year.

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"We didn't actually expect the crowd this year but they were all there."

Moz said hundreds of people went down to the pub afterwards for New Year's Day celebrations.