HEALTH

More than three million Brits are now off the booze for Dry January.

A YouGov poll commissioned by charity Alcohol Concern found 3.1 million of us were planning to cut out alcohol to save money and feel healthier.

The survey of 2,086 participants showed that parents with children aged 12-16, as well as those with three or more children in their household, (11%) were most likely to go dry.

It was most popular with those aged 35-54 (7%), while Northern Ireland is the area of the UK where people are most likely to be give it a go (10%).

Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: “The benefits are astounding with 49% of people losing weight, 62% sleeping better and 79% saving money.

“Dry January is growing year-on-year as more people across the country decide to take control of their drinking and reap the benefits, both in how they feel now and for their future health.”

While most of us were kicking back during the festive period, 40 Brits were flying abroad to tackle a deadly diphtheria outbreak.

Doctors, nurses and firefighters from the UK’s Emergency Medical Team (EMT) left their families from December 28 following a request for assistance from the World Health Organisation. Bangladesh has recorded more than 2,000 suspected cases and 22 reported deaths from the airborne virus.

They travelled to the fishing port of Cox’s Bazar, home to more than 600,000 Rohingya people who have recently fled the violence and military persecution in Burma.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: “Our brave British medical heroes are the world leaders in saving lives, acting rapidly in a crisis to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.”

MARTIN BAGOT is the Mirror’s Health Correspondent