DRINKERS across the West Midlands are being challenged to lay off the booze in January to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The charity is launching Dryathlon, its New Year fundraising campaign, and urging people across the region to sign up before the festive season gets into full swing.

‘Dryathletes’ pledge to drop the drink for a month and either get sponsored or donate the money they would have spent on alcohol to the charity.

Supporters can register as individuals or set up a team and get their friends, family and colleagues involved to motivate each other along the way. Those who find the thought of four weeks off the sauce too daunting, can take advantage of the ‘tipple tax’ and pay a £20 penalty to compensate for falling off the wagon.

Last year, more than 2,300 people signed up across the West Midlands and helped raise £4 million for the charity.

Paula Young, the charity's West Midlands spokesman, said: “We were thrilled with the number of people who embraced Dryathlon at the start of 2013 and raised money for crucial research. Now registration has opened for January 2014 we want to encourage everyone who took part last time to sign up again, as well as enlisting as many new recruits as possible.

“Christmas is the time when most of us would admit our willpower is at its weakest, so with this in mind, we’re encouraging everyone to commit to Dryathlon now, so they have a firm New Year’s resolution in place when their resolve picks up on January 1.”

To sign up, visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/find-an-event/charity-challenges/dryathlon