MORE than 200,000 blood donors are needed to give a very special gift to hundreds of thousands of patients this Christmas.

Last year, one in five blood donor appointments were missed over the festive period putting NHS Blood and Transplant’s critical operation under unnecessary pressure.

Now NHS Blood and Transplant is calling on Craven people to make a blood - or platelet - donation.

Donna Batty, lead donor relations manager at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Blood stock levels can drop dramatically over the busy festive period as Christmas shopping, celebrations and extended public holidays mean giving blood slips off the nation’s to-do lists.

“At this time of year many people want to give something more than material gifts. A blood donation truly is the gift only you can give and with one single donation you can save or improve up to three lives.”

There are two donor sessions planned - at Skipton's Ermysted's Grammar School on Monday, from 2pm to 3.45pm and 4.45pm to 7pm and at Sutton Village Hall on Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.15pm.

To book an appointment, visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 2323.