GIVE us a pint before you go on holiday that's the message from the National Blood Service.

The NBS is launching its campaign to ensure blood stocks stay at healthy levels through the busy summer.

Currently there are a healthy six days stock of blood across England but this will drop around 15 per cent during July, August and early September. The NBS is asking regular donors to either give before they go or donate when they come back from their holidays.

This is also a good time of year for new donors, or those pondering on whether to become donors, to pop along to their local session.

NBS spokesman Jude Pamington said: "With sessions being quieter over the summer, it is a good time for new donors to come and giving blood. This really does save lives so don't forget to give before you go away."

Platelets are especially needed, which are small blood cells present in the blood of all healthy people and they enable the blood to clot properly.

These are beneficial to people undergoing chemotherapy as part of cancer and leukaemia treatments.

The NBS is running blood doning sessions in the Swindon area this month and next. They are at:

Swindon Town Football Club, July 30 and August 2, 9.45am to 12.55pm and 2.45pm and 5.15pm.

The Memorial Hall, Tanners Close, Wootton Bassett, August 7, 10.30am to 12.25pm and 2pm to 3.55pm.