"GIVE Before You Go". That's the message to holidaymakers by the National Blood Service (NBS).

And it has been echoed by the First Lady of Bury, Mayoress Shirley Nesbitt, who is herself a blood donor.

The NBS is urging the public to give blood to make sure that blood stocks continue to stay at healthy levels during the busy summer period.

Mrs Nesbitt did her bit by attending a donor session at Bury Town Hall on Monday (Aug 6).

She said: "As a blood donor I know how important it is to give regularly. I am going on holiday myself in a few weeks so I have taken the time to give before I go."

The demand for blood never stops. In fact, every week across the Bury area more than 500 units of blood and blood products are needed to ensure patients get the life-saving treatments they require.

The next blood donor sessions at Bury Town Hall will take place on August 20 and September 10, between 1pm and 3.30pm, and from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.