STAFF at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary have won an award from the National Blood Service for promoting blood donation and saving patients' lives.

The hospital is one of only a handful in the UK which provides a permanent venue for people to give blood.

And now it has received a special thank you' award to mark its life-saving contribution.

Facilities manager Mark Fisher says: "We're delighted to receive this award in recognition of our support for blood donation.

"Thousands of our patients benefit every year so we're happy to do all we can to help boost blood stocks in return."

Last year 1,440 donors including many hospital staff, gave blood at sessions at the RLI.

Rachel Roberts, spokesperson for NBS, says, "Many patients lives are saved at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary every year by donated blood. We're grateful that the hospital does so much to help us."

To find out more about becoming a blood donor, including details of the blood donation centre at the RLI, call 0845-771-1711.