MORE younger blood donors are needed in Dorset.

The percentage of 17-24-year-old blood donors in Dorset is lower than the national average, says the NHS Blood and Transplant service.

The service has released the figures at the start of National Blood Week to encourage more people across Dorset to start giving blood.

In Dorset there are 2,687 donors aged between 17 and 24. This is 12.8 per cent of those who currently donate blood in the county. Across England and North Wales, 17-24-year-olds account 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.

Go to www.blood.co.uk for more details.