Scientists are now saying that half a glass of wine a day can increase life expectancy by almost 5 years. That conclusion followed a study of 1,400 middle aged men over four decades. Of course, it doesn’t have to be wine – I suppose a wee dram would also qualify!

But even if you drink a bit more each day – say 2 galsses of wine, 2 whiskies or 2 pints of beer, you’re still likely to extend your life by 2 years.

Now all this sounds like great news to me and I got to thinking about whether that means that my life insurance premiums should therefore be a bit cheaper. In my mind I began composing a letter to the chief underwriter at Norwich Union.

Dear Sir …. I am writing to you to get a reduction in my monthly premium and make a claim for a rebate of part of the £25.46 a month I have been paying for the last 35 years………..

That’s about as far as I got. Despite what the scientists say about drinking, I’m absolutely sure that the underwriting guru’s at the nations’ insurance companies are going to take no notice whatsoever.

So I saved my self the price of a stamp. And poured myself another glass of chilled chardonay.