FIVE Hundred people signed up to the ‘Dry January’ campaign run by Alcohol Concern in conjunction with Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Figures have shown the cost of alcohol misuse in the borough to be over £62m annually, £424 per person.

Council health boss Mohammed Khan said: “Well done to everyone who took part, even those who only had a short break, but extra special congratulations to those who made the full 31 days.

“Hopefully they will have enjoyed the health benefits of making a rejuvenated start to 2014.

“500 sign-ups across Blackburn with Darwen is a brilliant figure,.

“The new perspective people will have on their drinking can hopefully be used to create a new set of rules for their drinking as they move forward in 2014.”