THE people of Worcestershire are being urged to roll up their sleeves and give blood to prevent a shortage.

The National Blood Service is putting out a plea to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donors in the county to ensure hospitals have enough supplies to last over the Bank Holiday period.

"Blood donation is so rewarding knowing that you may have not only helped one person but possibly three," said Rebecca Hosgood, communications officer for the National Blood Service.

"Blood donors are especially needed before a Bank Holiday to maintain good levels of platelets as they only have a short shelf life of five days. We would like to encourage regular donors to attend sessions if they can."

Sessions leading up to the Bank Holiday include Thursday, May 30, at the Royal British Legion, Salwarpe Road, Droitwich, from 1pm to 7.15pm.

To be a blood donor you need to be in good health, weigh more than 7st 12lbs and aged between 17 and 60.

Currently, only around four per cent of the West Midlands population are active blood donors, and those who give blood find that the lost fluids are quickly replaced by the body.

Each adult holds around 10 pints of blood, and donors are asked to give three times a year.

Further information is available by contacting the National Blood Service helpline on 0845 771 1711, or information can also be found on the website www.blood.co.uk or BBC2 Ceefax on page 465.