SIX people in Worcestershire have died due to a shortage of donor organs in the last year.

Currently, 114 people in the county are waiting for organ transplants and health authority NHS Blood and Transplant are encouraging people to sign up to be organ donors during National Transplant Week, which ends on Sunday.

The campaign aims to increase awareness that the decision to donate a person's organs falls to the family if you die in circumstances where you can donate.

NHS Blood and Transplant is encouraging people to join the organ donor register and to have a conversation with their family.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation for the authority, said: “Last year 27 people living in Worcestershire benefited from a life-saving organ transplant thanks to families making the decision to donate when a loved one died, a decision we know makes them incredibly proud.

“Families are much less likely to allow organ donation if they don’t know it’s what their loved one wanted.

“To help more people we need everyone to tell those closest to them that they want to donate their organs."

For more information and to register your organ donation decision visit www.transplantweek.co.uk.