IT is a New Year’s Day tradition and a major fundraising event of the year.

But a charity swim set to take place today has become the latest victim of stormy weather that has battered the county in recent weeks.

The Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) New Year’s Day Dip was due to take place at Stokes Bay, Gosport, but organisers pulled the plug as winds are expected to reach 50- 60mph.

It comes after a very successful 2013 event where 300 people took part, representing 33 charities, raising thousands of pounds.

A spokesman said: “Obviously GAFIRS realise that groups and individuals planning to take part in the 2014 dip will be disappointed with the cancellation of the event. The safety of all the intended participants is the main priority. Given the weather forecast, it would be most unsuitable for the event to go ahead.”

The dip first began in the early 1970s and has since attracted more and more hardy swimmers.