DRINKERS in the Wellington area who may have overdone it over the Christmas and New Year holiday are being urged to have a Dry January.

An Alcohol Concern campaign backed by Public Health England (PHE) is urging social drinkers to give up alcohol for a month. PHE says one in five people are drinking more than the recommended guidelines.

Trudi Grant, Somerset County Council’s director of Public Health, said: “More and more people are taking part in Dry January. 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 to 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.”

Anyone who wants to talk confidentially about their drinking can call the Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service on 0300 303 8788.