With millions of people drinking to excess over the festive period many people have pledged to avoid alcohol for one month. Here is everything you need to know about Dry January.

What is Dry January?

It's a campaign by Alcohol Concern which encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of January after the festivities over the Christmas and New Year period.

It is not known when the trend for giving up alcohol in the first month of the year started but that the phrase Dry January was coined by Alcohol Concern back in 2012 when it launched its flagship campaign to encourage people to ditch the booze after Christmas.

Year on year the campaign has got bigger and in 2016 a YouGov survey revealed the one in six adults had attempted to stay dry.

What are the health benefits?

Research from the Royal Free Hospital states that a month free of alcohol helps with weight loss, reduces cholesterol, lowers glucose levels and improves liver function.

Participants also saw their blood pressure drop and many said their concentration and sleeping levels had improved.

As well as all of the health benefits it can help you save a lot of money following an expensive December.

What is the point?

Other than the health and financial benefits Alcohol Concern encourages people taking part to donate sponsorship money to the charity, and another of their choice, via Virgin Money Giving.

What alcohol free activities can I enjoy in Norfolk?

Mocktails: Hunger Games star and former Costessey High School pupil Sam Claflin and Delia Smith have provided booze-free cocktail recipes for the Matthew Project during Dry January. All the recipes are available on the charity's website and include 'Delia's Not Quite a Pina Colada' and 'A Moscow Mule Mocktail from actor Sam Claflin'.

Trampoline night: The University of East Anglia's Student Union is launching a brand new DJ dance and bounce night at Gravity Trampoline Park. Complete with a soundtrack and light show the first party is at 7pm on Friday January 13.

Namaste India: This is authentic Indian restaurant in Norwich does not serve alcohol and do they do not promote the consumption of alcohol in the restaurant. However guests can bring their own for a small fee.

• For more information visit the Alcohol Concern website.