PETER Fuller started giving blood nearly 50 years ago for the free tea and biscuits and a skive off work.

Since then he has donated 68 pints to help improve the lives of hundreds of sick and injured people.

The 70-year-old, from Castle View Road, Stratton St Margaret, has been forced to stop giving any more because the rules say he is too old.

Having donated his 82nd and final unit of blood he was presented with a special thank-you certificate by the National Blood Service in recognition of his dedication.

Each unit of blood can be used to treat up to three people, so Mr Fuller's 82 units nearly 68 pints could have helped up to 246 patients across England and North Wales.

Widower Mr Fuller, who has three sons and one grandson, first donated blood when he was 21, working as a fitter and turner at the railway works.

"I decided to give blood because it was a good skive out of the railway and after you'd donated you got your free tea and biscuits," he said.

"I'd like to think that some of my friends and family will decide to become regular blood donors and carry on from where I've left off."

As well as being used in accident and emergency departments of local hospitals, donated blood is used to treat a range of patients such as new-born babies and pregnant women, people undergoing heart and chest surgery and even cancer and

leukaemia patients.

Louise Coxon, a spokesperson for the National Blood Service, said: "All of our donors are special but people like Mr Fuller who have regularly attended donor sessions throughout the years with such dedication really do deserve an extra thank you."

Another donor, 66-year-old Arthur Page from Nythe, has been thanked for donating his 50th unit of blood, and presented with a gold award with a pen and badge for his efforts.

Miss Coxon said currently only six per cent of the eligible population gave blood, and 15 per cent of donors were lost each year through retirement, relocation or ill-health.

"We need to collect up to 9,000 voluntary blood donations every day so that hospitals throughout England and North Wales can carry out life-saving surgery and treatments to a range of patients," she said.

"It is people like Mr Fuller and Mr Page who attend donor sessions come rain or shine who really do help make this possible."

How you can get involved

You may be able to become a blood donor if you are aged from 17 to 60, weigh more than 7st 11lb (50kg) and are in good health. Regular blood donors can keep donating until their 70th birthday.

Forthcoming donor sessions in Swindon:

March 25: Polish Community Centre, Whitbourne Avenue in Park South, from 1.15pm to 3.55pm and 5pm to 7.45pm.

March 30: Swindon Town County Ground, from 1.15pm to 3.55pm and from 5pm to 7.45pm.

For more information about blood donation call the National Blood Service Helpline on 08457 711711.

Andy Tate