A CITIZEN appeal has inspired hundreds of its readers to sign up as bone marrow donors this week in a bid to rescue a Lancaster mum from her hospital bed.

Jennifer Wilson, 35, of Derwent Road, is being kept in isolation at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, for protection against infection as she receives treatment for a rare form of leukaemia.

The Citizen's story highlighting her plight triggered a wave of public and other media interest, leading to queues of people waiting to join the Anthony Nolan Trust's register of donors at a special clinic at St Martin's College on Tuesday.

The trust's Megan Godden says: "It was fantastic, absolutely amazing, with just short of 300 people. I was expecting about half that because it was during the day. We got lots of young people, especially men which is what we need."

She says the Citizen stories really pricked people's consciences.

"People had cut out the article with all the information on and had it with them. It was fantastic."

Blood samples taken by volunteer nurses from Royal Lancaster Infirmary will be tissue-typed to see if there is a match for Jennifer, or other patients.

Megan says the clinic was so successful that another session is to be held for people who were unable to attend.

The next clinic is between 5pm and 8pm on March 31 at St Martin's College student union.