HOGMANAY revellers across Glasgow were today urged to stay off the booze when the New Year starts to help fund the fight against a killer disease.

Charity chiefs are appealing to drinkers to stay off the booze throughout January and donate their savings towards research into a cure for cancer.

Cancer Research UK is hoping its dryathlon will boost its annual fundraising.

More than three people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland every hour and Cancer Research UK say the event is a great way of raising money for research to help more adults and children survive.

Charity spokeswoman Linda Summerhayes said: "We were thrilled with the number of people who embraced dryathlon at the start of 2013 and raised money for crucial research.

"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."

It's hoped partcipants will get family and friends to sponsor them or donate the money they would have spent on drink. Officials have even come up with a "tipple tax" for anyone who wants to support the event but is unable to stay on the wagon.

Offenders are asked to own up and make a £20 donation to compensate for any lapses.

The cash appeal comes at a time when cancer survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years. Last year Cancer Research UK invested £34million in Scotland.

Potential "dryathletes" are asked to sign up at www.dryathlon.org

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk