Young people in Clydebank are being urged to consider giving blood to help maintain stocks as the festive season approaches.

As people can start giving blood at the age of 17, the transfusion service is asking youngsters to consider being a donor.

Lynne Willdigg, from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), said: “Forty seven per cent of active donors in Scotland are aged 45 or over, so it is important younger people start giving blood to meet the needs of our ageing population.

“We are reaching out to all younger people to encourage them to think about giving blood now.

“As Christmas Day is a Tuesday this year, which is traditionally one of our strongest collection days, we are asking donors to come forward now to ensure stocks continue to build in the run up to the public holiday.”

The service is ask asking donors to ensure they know their blood group.

Lynne said: “There are eight different blood groups, and we aim to maintain a five to seven day supply at all times of each one.

“Our focus as a service is to ensure that we consistently meet clinical demand and to this end we work closely with hospitals to forecast that demand.

“This means that we can provide donors with a greater level of detail about how their donation is needed.”

To register as a blood donor or to find out where your nearest donation session is, call 0845 90 90 999, or visit www.facebook.com/givebloodforscotland, @givebloodscot, www.scotblood.co.uk.