So far so good!

Maidstone council leader Annabelle Blackmore and KM journalist Alan Smith were among thousands of people who signed the pledge to Dry January - vowing to give up alcohol for the whole 31 days of the month.

A week into the challenge, and neither of them have fallen off the wagon yet.

Cllr Blackmore said: “It’s going very well. I’m very happy about that.”

Mr Smith said: “I decided to give up coffee and Cheeselets at the same.

“So far, I haven’t felt any urge for a drink, but I’m very tempted every time I walk past the Cheeselet tub.”

Dr Tony Jones of The Vine Medical Centre in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, and Dr David Chesover of the Thornhills Medical Practice in Martin Square, Larkfield, have also both pledged to go dry for January.

Dr Chesover said: "I usually drink about eight units a week. Since stopping I have already noticed that my quality of sleep has improved and I wake more refreshed in the morning."

After his first week, Dr Jones said: “Having already reduced my alcohol intake before as part of a weight-reducing strategy, I thought this would be easy, but a curry without lager is not quite the same! I’m being spurred on by two patients who have agreed to join me.”

Dr Jones pointed out that there were serious health risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

He said: “The country has seen an astronomical rise in alcoholic liver disease.”

The rate of death due to alcoholic liver disease is rising at around 5% per annum, i.e. doubling every 20 years.

Dr Jones said: “Every other cause of death whether it be cancer, vascular disease or respiratory diseases has been on a steady decline year-on-year; alcohol-related death is the only one on the increase.”

There are other advantages with drinking less too. Most people who cut back lose weight and say they sleep better.

You may have missed the first week, but it is not too late to sign up to Dry January. Visit www.dryjanuary.org.uk