A LEADING Jehovah's Witness today said the decision by his faith's elders to allow blood transfusions was not a major U-turn.

The move was made at a secret meeting of the the 12-member world governing body in New York this week.

Controversy has raged over Witnesses who have refused transfusions since they began to be widely used in the 1940s as they believe in abstaining from blood.

Members will no longer be automatically excommunicated for accepting transfusions but an East Lancashire elder today said the original beliefs still remain intact.

"The decision has been a procedural change and it means the congregation no longer initiates the action of disfellowship against a member," said David Aston, of Whinney Lane, Mellor.

"If someone now has a transfusion then that person is taking the stance themselves that they no longer want to be a Jehovah's Witness. However they can be later re-accepted as a Jehovah's Witness."

David, whose wife Judith is also a member, added he would not receive a transfusion -- even in a life or death situation.

"It's a decision you make when you become a Jehovah's Witness," he said.

There are more than 2,000 members in East Lancashire and David said each case of blood transfusions being accepted would be taken on its individual merits. But, added David, if a Jehovah's Witness accepts a blood transfusion in a moment of weakness and then later regrets the action spiritual assistance would be offered to help them regain spiritual strength.

East Lancashire medical staff welcomed the move and believed the relaxed rules may help with their jobs.

Terry O'Brien, clinical director for general surgery for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "It's going to make the decision making process for the patient much easier in that situation, which in turn will make the situation less fraught for medical staff,'' he said. "The main benefit will be the patient themselves."

Also buoyed by this decision was the Blood Donor Service, which believes it may benefit from Jehovah's Witnesses now becoming blood donors.

Penny Richardson, recruitment manager for the Blood Donor Service in the north west, taking in East Lancashire, said: "If that means more lives can be saved and it becomes easier for doctors then surely that is a desirable position to be in."