An annual New Year’s Day event has been postponed due to the continued search effort for missing student Sophie Smith.

The traditional New Year’s Day Dip had been scheduled to take place tomorrow from 10.30am behind the Pier Hotel in Gorleston.

But as the search for 21-year-old Sophie goes on, East Coast Hospice - the charity hosting the popular swim - have decided to postpone the event.

Read more: Dad of missing Sophie Smith makes heart-wrenching appeal for her to come home

A spokesman for the charity said: “As a charity, we feel that it would be insensitive for us to continue with the event whilst Sophie’s family, friends, the local community and emergency services are concentrating their searches along the Gorleston coastline area, where every effort is being made to find her.

“Our thoughts are with Sophie’s family at this difficult time.”

Sophie disappeared from her home on Avondale Road in Gorleston at 3am on Boxing Day morning.

CCTV footage captured her heading towards the seafront a short time later, but there have been no other confirmed sightings since then.

Read more: Search for Sophie Smith extended to Lowestoft coastline