REGULARS at an East Lancashire club could get more than they bargained for when they ask for a pint -- because the steward is a veteran blood donor who has just served up his 50th pint.

John Freeman started giving blood when he was in his 20s after being in a car accident and being given a few pints of blood himself.

Now the 51-year-old, who is the steward at Sydney Street Working Men's Club, Accrington, has been given an award for giving clocking up his 50th donation.

"They all really made a fuss of me and you don't want that, you just want to get it out of the way," said John.

"I have had stick from the regulars asking for a pint."

His reward was a gift box containing a pen and a 50th award badge.

And John, of Hodder Street, Accrington, who donates his blood up to three times a year, has no plans call time on his donations just yet although it could take as long as nine years to reach the next milestone -- 75.

"I'm still going to give blood because I tend to think I'm in pretty good health. My wife gives blood as well but not as much as me," he said. "My father also gave blood but my kids are squeamish so they don't.

"And my wife's sister is on 49 pints so she's upset she can't give blood at the moment because she's got a bad back."

And with a blood group of B rhesus positive, the blood collectors are grateful John carrying on because he's one of a rare breed. "That blood group is quite rare in white Caucasians, it's more prevalent in the Asian community," a spokesman for the National Blood Service said.

"It's a very special milestone and it's an extremely good thing to be dedicated to one thing for that long.

"We do try to recognise our donors but most of them don't like to shout it from the rooftops."

Over the three decades John has been a blood donor the venue has changed a few times but one thing is reassuringly constant.

"They still give you tea and biscuits but now it's up to you whether you have them," he said.