BURY people are being urged to sign up as blood donors to help maintain and increase local supplies.

A new year-long campaign, entitled "Get There Any Way You Can," has been launched by the National Blood Service.

The campaign has been kicked off during the winter, traditionally a challenging time for blood collection as colds and flu sweep the country and hospitals carry out more routine surgery.

Yet the demand for blood never stops. Every day, on average, 10,000 donations of blood are required in England and North Wales alone to make sure that patients get the treatments they require.

Emma Heesom, communications officer for National Blood Service in the North West, said: "This is a year-long campaign aimed at encouraging more people to become blood donors and to urge people to give blood more regularly.

"We want to ensure that blood stocks at hospitals are kept at optimum levels all year round."

She added: "It is only through continued support from local media that we are able to ensure the reliable supply of blood to the area's local hospitals by encouraging more people to give blood."

The North West needs 1,500 units of blood daily while the NHS requires 10,000 units of blood each day. Only six per cent of the eligible population are active blood donors.

If you are aged between 17 and 60 years of age (70 for regular donors), in general good health and weigh more than 50kg, you could support the campaign.

Just call the National Donor Helpline on 0845 7 711 711 (open 24hrs) to find out where you can donate your first winter pint or log onto www.blood.co.uk.

Blood donor sessions will take place at Church House, The Wylde, Bury, on Tuesday, February 26 and Tuesday, March 12, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm and again between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Another session will be held at the Longfield Suite, Prestwich, on Sunday, March 3, between 10am and noon and between 2pm and 4pm.