A CALL has gone for more young blood donors in Warwickshire, following National Blood Week.

Despite the percentage of 17 to 24-year-olds in the county giving blood being on par with the national average, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people to ‘get off the bench’ and start giving blood.

The need for people to join the 'Greatest Team in the World' is also intensified as donations are expected to be disrupted this summer as people’s attention turns to the World Cup.

In Warwickshire there are 2,259 donors aged between 17 and 24, which is 13.9 per cent of those who currently donate blood in the county.

Across England and North Wales, the age group accounts for 14 per cent of donors.

Each year 200,000 new donors are required to attend a donation session to replace those who can no longer donate for health or other reasons.

Jon Latham, Assistant Director for Donor Services and Marketing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Our blood donors make up The Greatest Team in the World and we're grateful to each and every one of them including new donors registering this year.

"We’re issuing a ‘call up’ for more to come forward because we know blood donation falls off the to-do list during hot weather and summer holidays, and big public events like the World Cup.

"We want potential donors to know they can do something amazing for their country just as the England team will hopefully do in Brazil."

To donate or to register and book an appointment to donate, visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.