A NEW app has been launched to help residents in Cheshire West and Chester to keep track of the amount of alcohol they are drinking, in order to stay healthy.

The Lower My Drinking app is free across Cheshire and Merseyside and helps people to set a drinking goal and track their progress towards it, recognise the benefits of cutting down on alcohol and see how their drinking compares to the rest of the population.

It is hoped that users will be able to reduce the risk of alcohol leading to depression, cancer or liver disease in the long term.

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: "The Council is pleased to support this app and I hope it will prove a really useful tool for residents to help take control of how much they drink.

"If you are worried about your drinking, and know there are situations where you are likely to drink too much, this app also gives you advice and a set of proven skills to help you navigate those situations and change the way you think about alcohol.

"Heavy drinking can have an impact on your everyday life and can damage your health in the long term, with alcohol linked to depression, cancer and liver disease.

"Downloading and using the app is something simple you can do to help you lead a longer, healthier and happier life."

The app supports the Council’s local alcohol strategy which aims to guide local people to make informed healthy choices to reduce the harms caused by excessive alcohol and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

To download the app search for ‘lower my drinking’ in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

For more information visit: https://www.lowermydrinking.com/.