DO you reckon you could carry on with your normal life while not eating or drinking during daylight hours for the next month?

That's what scores of Muslims living in Taunton Deane will be doing from tomorrow evening until sundown on Saturday, June 24.

And Ramadan means so much to Creech St Michael businessman Osama Elogab that he is joining in, despite being exempt on medical grounds.

Mr Elogab, aged 51, said: "It's something I've been doing all my life and it's important for me to do it.

"Even though I am officially exempt as I'm a diabetic, I think I'm capable of completing it."

He said that Ramadan, one of the main pillars of Islam, is about strengthening your wellbeing.

"You can see food and drink all day long, but you're not allowed to touch it," added Mr Elogab.

"That's from sunrise to sunset for a whole month, so you can only eat after dark.

"It's about strength of mind and body and a time to remember people who aren't able to eat normally, so that you know what it feels like.

"Eating less strengthens your stomach, so it's also another way of dieting and you tend to lose weight.

"It's a charitable month because those who can afford it are asked to give what they've saved by missing lunch to someone who can't afford food - if every Muslim in the world did that, it adds up to a lot of money."

Mr Elogab said observing Ramadan is hard work, adding: "Carrying on a normal life isn't easy - if you're thirsty and desperate for a drink and there's water in front of you, you can't have it.

"I'm looking forward to it, but also the end of the month.

"It's something you have to do for yourself, but there's nobody watching you."

His sons, Zak, 18, a student at Richard Huish College, in Taunton, and Yosel, 21, a university student who is also a police special constable, are also taking part, which means not eating or drinking for around 16 hours during the day.