Two contestants in the up-coming Miss Universe Norfolk competition volunteered for a swimwear round with a difference on New Year's Day, plunging into freezing waters for charity.

Wearing nothing but bikinis and promo shirts for the competition, 23-year-old Beckie Richardson from North Walsham and 26-year-old Laura Holland from Taverham leapt into the water at Cromer beach, drawing sponsorship in aid of the Hemraj Goyal Foundation and the Strongbones Children's Trust.

The pair are due to compete at the final of the Miss Universe Norfolk competition at the Holiday Inn, next to Norwich Airport on January 29.

The competition will act as a qualifier for the Miss Universe Great Britain and the national qualifier for Donald Trump's International Pageant Miss Universe. Votes cast will raise money for the charities. The former provides financial and human resources to charities in the UK and abroad and the latter supports children with bone-related issues.

Ms Richardson, who had the idea after seeing the Cromer Boxing Day dip story in the newspaper, said: 'I am 100pc committed in the competition and as soon as I thought about the dip, I had to make it happen. It was freezing, but so worthwhile.'

Ms Holland said: 'Weirdly this is something that I have always wanted to do and it was quite invigorating. Raising money for the Hemraj Goyal Foundation was an added bonus.

'I am really excited about the fundraising part of the competition and raising money for charity is really rewarding.'

The pair have already raised �500.

Ms Holland, an avid Norwich City fan, is also doing a East Anglian Derby Donation, where people can donate online and vote for whether she wears an Ipswich shirt or Norwich shirt for the derby day.

To sponsor a miss universe finalist or vote for them, please visit www.missuniversenorfolk.co.uk.