AYRSHIRE residents brushed off the Hogmanay cobwebs in spectacular style by going for a bracing New Year Dip in the Firth of Clyde at Irvine Beach.

Organised by, and to raise funds for, the Coastwatch Scotland Irvine unit, the sixth annual event attracted plenty of hardy ‘dookers’ eager to do their bit to help keep the local shoreline safe.

Irvine Times:

Irvine Times:

Coastwatch’s volunteers provide eyes and ears along the Ayrshire coast, from Ardrossan to Troon, monitoring radio channels and providing a listening watch in poor visibility.

They are trained to administer First Aid, give advice on safety on or near water, on tides and currents, help with navigation in and out of Irvine Harbour and watch over wildlife.

Irvine Times:

Irvine Times:

Volunteers provide a vital link with all the emergency services and can provide an emergency contact point on land for both sea and shore users.

To find out more about the group’s work, including the volunteering opportunities available with the organisation, check out coastwatchirvine.co.uk.