Bradford Bulls players are championing a campaign to get people boost blood stocks over Christmas and the New Year.

They are supporting the National Blood Service's Yorkshire Christmas Donor Campaign.

Blood stocks in Yorkshire have dropped this year so the Christmas donor campaign is even more vital.

Vicki Hutchinson of the National Blood Service (NBS) said: "The demand for blood never stops and over Christmas and the New Year the NBS will still need to ensure that they supply Yorkshire hospitals with the blood they so desperately need.

"Almost 800 units of blood are needed by patients in Yorkshire every day."

Miss Hutchinson said because the Bradford Bulls were a culturally diverse team they would also help the NBS raise the profile of its "Are You My Type" campaign, aimed at recruiting donors from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Bradford Bulls player Antony Tonks, who donates blood, said: "I would encourage anyone to donate blood especially over Christmas. It's so nice to know that by donating I can help so many people."

Bulls coach Brian Noble, also a regular blood donor, said: "Giving blood is so very important. I know that just one unit of my blood could help three people.

"It's such a simple thing to do and really would be the best gift this Christmas."

Miss Hutchinson said: "We would really like to express our thanks to the Bradford Bulls for helping us tackle our Christmas Donor Campaign.

"We would like to encourage as many donors as possible to donate over the winter period so that many more lives can be saved as we see in the new year."

Christmas celebrations fall over a weekend this year so there are two consecutive Bank Holidays.

"We are unable to hold sessions on Bank Holidays so as many people who can donate before and after Bank Holidays the better," she said.

Whole blood only lasts for 35 days and fragments of cells in the blood called platelets, which are primarily used to treat cancer patients or burns victims, only last five days.

To be a blood donor you need to be between 17 and 60 years, weigh more than 7st 12lbs and in be general good health.

People can give blood at the following venues and times:

l Keighley Salvation Army Hall, Keighley, on Monday from 2pm to 4pm and 5pm and 7.30pm

l Idle Primary School, Thackley, on Wednesday, December 21, from 2.30pm to 4pm and 5pm and 7.30pm

l Church Hall, Shelf, on Thursday, December 22, from 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.30pm

l Sunday School, Elland, on Friday, December 23, from 2.30pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.30pm

l Village Hall, Shelf, on Wednesday, December 28, from 2.30pm to 4pm and 5.30pm and 7.30pm

l St Peters Church Hall, Shipley, on Thursday, December 29, from 2.30pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.30pm

l Marriott Hollins Hotel, Baildon, on Wednesday, January 4, from 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7pm

l Bingley Arts Centre, Bingley, on Thursday, January 5 from 2.30pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.30pm

l Town Hall, Cleckheaton, on Thursday, January 6, from 2.30pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.30pm.

For more information call the national helpline on 0845 7 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk