IT WAS an early bath for two young women yesterday as they celebrated the forthcoming Loony Dook.

Erin Whyte and Bethany Lawrie, both 23, took a dip in the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, to promote the New Year's Day event that kicks off Scotland's Year of Homecoming.

The dook, an annual fixture for more than 25 years, sees revellers in swimsuits and fancy dress take a plunge as part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations.

This year's sold-out event will involve about 1100 "loony dookers".

The event has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charities across the UK since it started.