BLOOD stocks in the North-East and Yorkshire could run short because young people are not giving at the same rate as their older counterparts.

The National Blood Service is concerned that many of the region's regular donors are coming up to the compulsory retirement age of 70.

Unless younger replacements can be found, the service could soon be facing shortages.

Hospitals in the North-East and Yorkshire require 1,200 donated units of blood every day.

Without stocks of fresh blood, operations could be cancelled and the lives of accident victims could be at risk.

To try to safeguard adequate blood supplies, the Yorkshire and the North-East region of the National Blood Service (NBS) has set itself the aim to recruit 300 donors in the next three months.

Vickie Hutchinson, spokeswoman for the NBS in the region, said: "Our recruitment targets are set to ensure blood stocks in the region are steadily maintained and the sole responsibility of donation doesn't rest on just our existing life-long donors."

The appeal for younger people to come forward follows the national appeal for regular donors to give blood before going on holiday.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who is backing the summer campaign, said: "Just take a few minutes out of your busy day to register your details on the register. One donation of blood can save more than one life."

The importance of blood donation was underlined at an award ceremony in Newcastle to honour 17 regular donors.

Handing out awards to regular donors was Sally Brewis, from Morpeth, near Newcastle.

Sally, 34, needed 250 units of donated blood products during life-saving treatment for leukaemia, which also included a bone marrow transplant.

During an emotional address, Sally told donors: "You've saved my life. I would be dead if it wasn't for blood and platelet donors."

One of the donors receiving an award from Sally was John Atkinson, from Hett, County Durham, who has given a total of 258 donations.

Mr Atkinson, 49, who works as a business advisor, said: "I started giving blood at 18. It is very worrying to hear that not enough younger people are coming forward.

"It is a very small amount of time to give to save a life."

For more information about being a blood donor, call the national helpline 0845 7 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk