A HAMPSHIRE New Year's Day tradition has been cancelled due to severe weather.

The Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) New Year's Day Dip was due to take place tomorrow lunchtime but has been called off as winds are expected to reach speeds of 50-60mph.

Around 300 swimmers took part in the 2013 event and a similar number were expected tomorrow but GAFIRS said it cancelled the event on safety grounds.

It also urged any groups or people planning to swim tomorrow independently to avoid doing so.

For more details visit gafirs.org or its Facebook and Twitter page.