DRY January - the national campaign from Alcohol Concern encouraging people to start 2017 alcohol-free – is being backed by North Yorkshire health chiefs.

Research following previous campaigns showed that two thirds of people who signed up to take part completed the month successfully.

The research also showed that one month on, only a quarter of participants had gone back to their previous drinking habits.

“Alcohol-related hospital admissions are increasing all the time, and – shockingly – nearly 200 people die every year in North Yorkshire as a result of alcohol abuse,” said North Yorkshire’s director of public health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant.

“Around a quarter of all people who drink in North Yorkshire are estimated to be drinking at hazardous or harmful levels – this means regularly drinking more than 14 units a week; the same as six pints of average strength beer a week.”

The county’s executive member for public health, Cllr David Chance, said: “Small changes can make a big difference.”

To find out more visit.dryjanuary.org