DEVON has added its support to a national campaign to challenge people to go alcohol-free for 31 days in January 2014.

Now in its second year, the 31-day booze fast was adopted by around 4,500 people nationally last year, and for many is a chance to adopt a healthier lifestyle after the excesses of Christmas.

The national Dry January campaign is being run by Alcohol Concern, which is asking local authorities across the country to sign up in support.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Andrea Davis, and Director of Public Health Virginia Pearson, both took up the challenge last year, and plan to do so again. She said: “I felt absolutely fantastic after a month without alcohol. In fact, it established such a positive behaviour change that I have stuck with it and have had no more than the odd glass of wine for a whole year. “I’ve loved the benefits it has had on my energy levels and general sense of wellbeing.”

There are an estimated 145,507 high risk drinkers in Devon, who are classified as drinking more than the nationally recommended units of alcohol a week; and around 27,028 having an alcohol dependency and over 2,500 people in the county putting their lives at risk through their drinking levels.

Director of Public Health Virginia Pearson said: “Alcohol is one of the biggest contributing factors to ill health in Devon, and contributes to increased hospital admissions, early death, crime and disorder, domestic violence and health and social inequalities.

“We’re really pleased to be supporting this campaign, which is a chance to lose weight, feel better, save money and make a positive difference to our health and our lives.”