COMEDIAN Jason Manford is raising money for a Knutsford-based charity by having a ‘Facebook fast’.

The self-confessed social media addict has decided to stop using his Facebook and Twitter accounts for one month after his family suggested he doesn’t take his phone with him on holiday.

Manford, writing on his ‘JustGiving’ page, says: “So as a man who has been on social media since the very beginning, I realised recently whilst I was paying £15 for wifi in a hotel to update my Facebook to complain about the price of wifi in a hotel, that somehow I had a problem.

"If I fail in this endeavour I will write a cheque for the same amount of money as you've raised, so if I do fail, you will get your money back and I will pay through the nose!"

It took Manford seeing a couple having dinner while on their phones, tweeting, for him to realise that he was fully addicted to social media.

He added: “I thought actually it's a bit sad. Then I realised that I do that.”

Manford revealed he would be raising money for The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust in Millington. The trust offers different activities and safe spaces for terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children.

Manford added: “It's a local charity to me who give a holiday to some children who need it and a well deserved break to parents who are desperate for it.”

Helen Crowther, CAFT fundraiser, said: “Our patron, Jason Manford, is a self-confessed social media addict so for him to attempt to give up social media for a whole month is nothing short of miraculous.

“What's even more amazing is that he's turned it into a fabulous fundraising opportunity for our charity and has set up a Just Giving page for donations.

"The donations have flooded in and we really can’t thank Jason enough, and all of those who have supported him so far.”

So far more than £5,000 has been raised on the online donation site.

Manford’s Facebook Fast will start on August 3 and finish on August 7.

To donate money and for more information, please visit justgiving.com/JManford and caft.co.uk