BRAVE members of the public will be taking to the chilly waters off East Lothian to celebrate the start of 2018 today.

Following tradition, a number of Loony Dooks take place across the county with events taking place in Musselburgh, Cockenzie and Port Seton, North Berwick and Dunbar.

Anyone taking part in the Dunbar Dip should head to the town’s East Beach for noon, with all brave souls expected in the water at about 1pm.

Registration and sponsorship forms are available from both The Eagle Inn and The Cutting Room, with money being raised for the RNLI and Marie Curie.

Meanwhile, North Berwick’s Loony Dook takes place on West Beach from noon. All are welcome to take part.

In Musselburgh, dippers will meet at Fisherrow Yacht Club at 11.30am before the participants are piped to the Back Sands.

They will be in the water at about noon, with fancy dress “actively encouraged” by the organisers.

The event is being run by Fisherrow Waterfront Group, and money raised from collections on the day will be split between them and the RNLI.

Anyone who wants to take part must register through fisherrowwaterfront@gmail.com or via the organisers’ Facebook page.

And anyone taking part in the Port Seton Plunge should gather at the small beach at Cockenzie Boat Shore, just behind Cockenzie High Street and near Cockenzie and Port Seton Royal British Legion, from 12.30pm.