A HORDE of blood donors have been recruited thanks to the efforts of a North-East family.

National Blood Service officials praised the family's contribution, especially as more blood donors are needed over the festive period.

Three members of the Livermore family, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, recruited donors by taking part in the Great North Run or related junior events this year.

Mike Livermore, 41, completed the senior event dressed in a heavy "Billy Blood Drop" costume while his children Curt, 12, and Cloe, ten, took part in the junior run.

"It was a real team effort, we got 63 new people signed up between us," said Mr Livermore, who handed over the enrolment slips to blood service staff at a donor session in his home town last night.

Ironically, after giving blood for years, rule changes aimed at safeguarding blood supplies mean that Mr Livermore cannot donate again, because he had a life-saving transfusion three years ago after suffering a haemorrhage.

Laura Summers, regional spokesperson for the blood service, urged people to consider giving blood over the next few weeks to keep hospitals fully stocked over the holidays.

"Blood donors are very important during the winter months, particularly during the Christmas and New Year period, when blood stocks traditionally can fall by about ten per cent. It is vital that donors keep coming forward," she said.

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo launched its Lifeblood campaigan to encourage more people to give blood.

Call the National Donor Helpline on 0845 7711 711 (open 24hrs) or log onto www.blood.co.uk for information about local donor sessions.

Read more about the Life Blood campaign here.