DRINKERS are being encouraged to take a break from the booze after the festivities and have a ‘Dry January’.

Somerset County Council is backing the national campaign led by Alcohol Change UK which aims to encourage drinkers to give up alcohol for the month and re-set their relationship with it.

During Dry January last year, 88 per cent of those taking part saved money, 71 per cent slept better and 58 per cent lost weight.

Trudi Grant, Somerset County Council’s Director of Public Health said: “More and more people are taking part in Dry January, which is great news.

“It can help kick-start a change in routine and is a great way to start the New Year.

“You will start to feel some of the health benefits such as sleeping better, having more energy and losing weight – and it also helps save money.

“It’s not about stopping drinking altogether, it just encourages a short break from alcohol. 

“And it has been shown to help people in the longer term to drink a bit less and stick to the low risk drinking guidelines.”

She said that drinking alcohol every day can easily push people above the recommended weekly guidelines of 14 units a week – equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or ten small glasses of low-strength wine.

Even six months later, evidence from Dry January shows that two-thirds of participants are still drinking less.

For helpful tips and advice on reducing drinking, go to the NHS one you website.

To talk to someone confidentially call Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service on 0300 303 87 88 or visit the Turning Point website.