GENEROUS Droitwich Spa residents are among the best when it comes to donating much-needed blood, according to members of the National Blood Service.

A blood donor team came to the town on Thursday to once again ask for support from Spa folk in their search for blood to help save lives.

They were once again impressed by the turn out of kind-hearted residents that saw over 100 people attend the session at the Royal British Legion in Salwarpe Road.

Droitwich blood donors have been supporting the National Blood Service since 1994 at the Royal British Legion and in total donors have clocked up around 18,000 pints of blood. This could have helped save or improve the lives of 54,000 patients.

The most recent session reflects that dedication is still strong among Droitwich people and nearly ten per cent of the donations taken were from new donors.

Lyndsay Stewart, spokesman for the National Blood Service, said: "It's great to get new donors to a session. Many thanks to out regular donors for supporting us once again, and please keep coming back or encourage friends and family."

However, despite the great turn out The National Blood Service is still urging donors to roll up their sleeves and part with a pint of the red stuff at a time when stocks can drop as the nights draw in and donors fall ill with coughs and colds.

As stocks are currently healthy this is not yet a problem, however many patients need platelets - tiny fragments of cells which help the blood to clot and prevent bruising - and these only last five days so a constant supply is needed.

By giving up an hour of your day to give blood you could be saving up to three lives as each donation is split into the component parts: red cells, platelets and plasma and can be used on three different patients.

The red cells can be used for patients with anaemia, the platelets help to treat cancer patients having chemotherapy and the plasma for burns victims.

Lyndsay added: "It's scary how few people actually give blood - just five per cent. Yet we need 8,000 donations nationally each day.

"We need all the support we can get at a time when stocks can become lower than usual, so if you're fit and well, over 7st 12lbs and between 17 and 60 please give blood."

To find out where your nearest session is call the National Blood Service helpline on 0845 7711711 or visit www.blood.co.uk