Young donors in Bradford have been urged to come forward and become the next generation to give blood.

To mark National Blood Week which started on Monday, NHS Blood and Transplant has released the figures to encourage more people across West Yorkshire to start giving blood.

In the county there are 7,567 donors aged between 17 and 24, which is 15.6 per cent of those who currently donate blood in the county.

Across England and North Wales, 17 to 24-year-olds currently account for 14 per cent of donors.

Young donors are crucial to ensuring there is a robust donor base for the years to come and to protect the future supply of blood.

Each year 200,000 new donors are needed to attend a donation session to replace those who can no longer donate for health or other reasons.

More than 7,000 people need to attend a blood donation session every day to ensure the right amount of blood is collected.

While all blood groups are important, some groups, such as O Rh negative, the universal blood group, and B Rh negative are more vulnerable to shortfalls than others.

Newly-established apps for iphone and Android will also allow users to register, book and change or cancel appointments while they are on the move.

Potential blood donors should be fit and healthy, weigh more than seven stone 12 lbs (50kg) and aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood.

Anyone aged over 70 need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating.

Jon Latham, assistant director for donor services and marketing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Our blood donors make up the Greatest Team in the World and we're grateful to each and every one of them including new donors registering this year.

“Make a date to donate and please keep your appointment to help us maintain and ensure stock levels for the coming months and for the future.”

For more information, or to register and book an appointment to donate, go to blood.co.uk or call 0300 1232323.