Downloading an app, keeping a diary and joining up to a sponsored Dryathlon are just some of the ways you could reduce how much you drink, according to doctors.

After the excitement and excesses of the festive season, many people decide to try and get back on the rails by improving their health and lifestyle.

The NHS has issued some helpful hints to help you stay on the straight and narrow and to help prevent you becoming one of the 15,000 people who died each year in England from alcohol-related diseases.

Tips include keeping alcohol diaries, downloading a drinking monitor app onto your smart phone or joining the Cancer Research UK Dryathlon which involves giving up drinking entirely for January.

Dr Anil Mehta, chair of Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We recommend setting yourself realistic targets so that you have more chance of success in the long term.

“It’s also not too late to join the Dryathlon campaign.”

“This is not only good for your health, but it could save you money and help you lose weight.”

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/change4life or www.cancerresearchuk.org/Dryathlon.