THREE blood donors from Swanage and Wareham have been honoured for donating blood 75 times each.

The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) health authority says the trio, Angela Morris, Peter Collins and Christine Cobley, will have saved up to 675 lives between them through their commitment to blood donation.

Mrs Cobley, from Swanage, said: “My father was a blood donor and I started donating blood following the birth of my first child.

“My son donated blood for as long as he was able to and my granddaughter also donates which is something I am really pleased about.”

Wareham resident Mr Collins first heard about blood donation through his mother when she told him about arm transfusions during World War II.

He added: “As both my parents donate, you could say that it was a family tradition. In the past couple of years I have switched from donating whole blood to donating platelets and I also find this very rewarding.”

The donors were honoured with crystal awards at a ceremony at Poole’s RNLI Lifeboat College. They joined 51 other donors from across Dorset.

Attending the ceremony was Tricia Moate, from Dorset, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2004 and has received blood following a number of operations to remove tumours.

She said: “I feel honoured to be invited here to say thanks to each and every one of you. Your precious gifts of blood have been crucial to my survival. I believe I have received about 20 units of blood and I am eternally grateful for every drop.”

NHSBT lead donor relations manager Geraldine Parker commended all of the service’s donors. She added: “We hope that these donors will be an inspiration to everyone that they meet and continue to spread the word and give blood.”

To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk for information.