Photos show brave cold water swimmers breaking the ice of a frozen reservoir with a hammerer - to go for a dip.

Craig Hannah, 57, took the photos on the Pennines between Marsden and Saddleworth on Saturday. At Redbrock Reservoir, which had been completely frozen over, he discovered two wild swimmers.

The pair, believed to be locals, were seen using a hammer to hack away at the thick frozen surface trying to enter the water. It comes after heavy snow and below freezing temperatures slapped the local area by Storm Goretti last week.

Craig, who is a part-time photographer, from Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, said: “It is a tradition for people to swim in these moors. But I was surprised I saw anyone with how cold it has been. It was around -2°C when I was there and it was freezing.

He added: “I was stood admired for about 15 minutes watching them break the ice. When they finally entered, the pair seemed so peaceful.”