HEALTH officials are urging Hampshire residents to ditch the drink for the New Year.

Solent NHS Trust wants people to go alcohol-free for the first month of 2016 in its annual campaign called Dry January.

Now in its fourth year, it challenges people to put the excesses of the festive period behind them and adopt a healthy start to the New Year.

The Trust provides community and specialist mental health services in Portsmouth, Southampton and other parts of the county.

It says that benefits of avoiding alcohol include better sleep patterns, better skin, more energy, more money and of course waking up hangover free. Last year two million people signed up for the challenge.

Claire Tromans, one of the Trust’s Fit 4 Life Project Workers, said: “Over the festive season many of us will probably drink a lot more alcohol than we usually would, which is why many people make the decision to have a break and take part in Dry January.

“Drinking more than the recommended limits on a regular basis can have serious long-term implications for your health. There are proven links to types of cancer, plus conditions including liver disease, anxiety, stomach ulcers, raised blood pressure, strokes and dementia.

“A period of abstinence, even for just a month, can really help encourage less harmful, better drinking habits in the long term – with evidence from Dry January highlighting that more than two-thirds of participants are still drinking less six months later.

“Last year more than two million people joined in with Dry January, so why not get ahead of the crowd and start thinking about it now, perhaps even cutting back on some of your festive tipple.”

She urged people to think about cutting back even before midnight on December 31.

To sign up for the Dry January challenge visit dryjanuary.org.uk.

If you would like to reduce your alcohol consumption or make healthy lifestyle changes you can get support from the Trust’s Southampton Health Trainers at solenthealthyliving.nhs.uk