GENEROUS Worcestershire residents are being urged to register as new blood donors during a week-long national campaign.

The #ImThere campaign, during National Blood Week (June 19-25), aims to demonstrate the importance of giving blood.

Over the last year, 900,000 people have given up their time to help patients in need but 200,000 new blood donors are needed each year to ensure that patients have access to blood when they require it in the future.

Last year, 9,681 people in Worcestershire gave blood at least once but new blood donors are crucial for ensure there is the right mix of blood groups to meet patient need in the years to come.

The NHS Blood and Transplant service needs more young donors as half of all donors in England are over 45.

There is also a need for more black donors.

Approximately 10,000 black people donated blood last year, but 40,000 new black donors are required to meet the national demand.

Patients who require regular blood transfusions for conditions like sickle cell disease, need blood which is closely matched to their own, but only one per cent of donors are black.

Mike Stredder, director of Blood Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:"Every day, blood donors from Worcestershire make a difference; saving people whose lives depend on blood."

Any healthy person, weighing over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) can give blood.

To sign up as a new donor visit: blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.