IT may be the height of the Christmas party season, but cancer researchers are asking people in the region to ‘go dry’ for January.

Stuart Williamson, Laura Ogle and Barry Dent, from Cancer Research UK in the North-East, have pledged to forego alcohol throughout the first month of 2014 to raise money for the charity.

Now they are asking others to join their ‘Dryathlon’ and give the money they would have spent on alcohol to the cause.

Mr Williamson, 30, said: “Taking on Dryathlon is going to be a challenge as we really enjoy a few drinks with friends on a Friday after work.

“But it’s for such a worthwhile cause so I’m determined to stay committed throughout the whole of January.”

Last year, Cancer Research UK’s first Dryathlon attracted 33,500 participants and raised £4m.

For more information, visit dryathlon.org or justgiving.com/teams/NICR