DONATIONS of blood are desperately needed after a recent fall in collections.

NHS Blood and Transplant, NHSBT, has issued an urgent appeal for O Rh negative and B Rh negative donors to come forward – preferably in the next week.

Jon Latham, assistant director at NHSBT, said: “We need O Rh negative and B Rh negative donors, who are eligible to donate, to come along to a local session today, if possible, and over the next four to five days.

“Stocks of these groups fell during the bad weather, and it’s vital that we increase our stocks now, so we can continue to meet the needs of patients.

“Please just walk in. There may be a delay, but please bear with us and we will see you as soon as possible.”

Donors with blood group O Rh negative are typically known as the universal donor, as their blood can be given to patients with a different blood group, which can prove vital in emergency situations. Around seven per cent of the population have this blood group.

Only two per cent of the population have the blood group B Rh, which is most often found in black and minority ethnic communities.

If you can help, call 0300 123 2323 or visit www.blood.co.uk to register your details and find the venues and times for your nearest blood donation session. Anyone wanting to donate for the first time should be aged between 17-65, weighing at least seven stone 12lbs and in general good health.

If you’ve donated before, you can start again up to your 70th birthday and there is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.