DESPITE the percentage of 17 to 24-year-old blood donors in North Yorkshire being higher than the national average, more younger donors are needed.

NHS Blood and Transplant has released the figures at the start of National Blood Week to encourage more people across North Yorkshire to encourage young people to start giving blood.

In North Yorkshire there are 4,722 donors aged between 17 to 24, making up 14.9 per cent of those who currently donate blood in the county.

Jon Latham, assistant director for donor services and marketing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “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.”

In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood.

For more information on events and initiatives happening during National Blood Week (9-15 June 2014) to help encourage and attract younger people to donate or to register and book an appointment to donate, visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.