BLOOD donors are always needed to boost life-saving stocks.

But in the summer the situation becomes ever more desperate as numbers dwindle because of holidays.

It is a sad fact that only five per cent of the population eligible to become a donor actually do so.

If this figure were increased to eight per cent, there would probably never be a shortage.

Swindon blood donor session officer, Alison Dent, explained: Blood is used more and more for a variety of uses. As well as being used for transfusions, it can be broken down into different components.

She added that plasma taken in UK tests is no longer used by the National Blood Trans-fusion Service, because of the risk of CJD infection.

The service is working hard to boost its dwindling stocks and Alison said that the response to a national advertising campaign was starting to pay dividends.

But her message is keep it coming.

Spokesman for the South West Area of the National Blood Service, Annabel Bruxner-Randall, said Swindon echoes the national picture in having a serious shortage in both O-types blood groups.

She said: We would appeal to blood donors please to make every effort to attend the session that they have been invited to.

Anyone interested in becoming a blood donor, or regular donors can call the National Call Line on 0345 711711 for the next doning session.

To find out more about being a blood donor, check out the Evening Advertiser's double page feature on Wednesday, July 5.