BLOOD donors are needed to keep stocks up over the busy winter period in Worcestershire.

NHS Blood and Transplant service is urging blood donors in the county to make and keep appointments at a time when donations are expected to drop significantly in the run up to Christmas.

The service points out there is demand for lifesaving blood and platelets 365 days a year, which doesn’t stop for Christmas. Many children and adults will need transfusions over the festive period, as a treatment for a blood condition or cancer or due to surgery, childbirth or an accident.

The service says around a third of all appointments remain unbooked, and in the past over the festive season 24,000 appointment have been missed in December, so it is urgent for donors to make and keep appointments.

All blood groups are needed but vulnerable groups like O negative, B negative and A negative platelets are particularly important, the service says.

Mike Stredder, director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We need our amazing donors more than ever at this time of year.

“If you make and keep an appointment this December you will be saving and improving lives over the festive season – can you think of a better gift to give?

“Please make a date to donate now. If you cannot make your appointment to give blood, please let us know as soon as possible.”

To book an appointment visit blood.co.uk, use the NHS Give Blood app, or call 0300 123 23 23.

If you are not able to make an appointment, the service ask people to let them know within seven days, so that the slot can be given to another donor.