HEALTH bosses are urging people to sign-up for an alcohol-free start to the new year in Hampshire.

As part of its Drink Less campaign, Hampshire County Council is encouraging residents to give the wine, beer and bubbly a miss for Dry January.

Run by charity Alcohol Concern, it means going alcohol-free for the full 31 days of the first month of the year and aims to improve health and save money.

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to short-term effects such as high blood pressure and weight gain, and also long-term effects including heart and liver damage.

Cllr Liz Fairhurst, executive member for adult social care and public health at the county council, said: “Many people do not realise how much they are drinking, especially when they are at home. It is easy to drink more than we planned to and I would encourage people to join this campaign and take the opportunity to have a break from alcohol.

“By taking some simple steps to moderate their drinking, they will benefit from a healthier lifestyle.”

Meanwhile Cancer Research UK is running a similar scheme called Dryathalon, also urging social drinkers to go without in January.

The charity says drinking less alcohol can make a person feel more energetic, sleep better and lose weight.

Drinking alcohol is linked to an increased risk of seven types of cancer as well as 60 other medical conditions including liver disease and heart problems.

Evidence from the World Health Organisation suggests that alcohol may cause cancers of the mouth, upper throat, voice box, oesophagus, bowel, liver and breast.

Those taking part in Dry January can help others affected by alcohol through its Just Giving page – justgiving.com/alcoholconcern, or raise money for CRUK via cancerresearchuk.org.

Daily recommended drinking limits are three-to-four units of alcohol for men and two-to-three units for women.