ORGANS donated following the deaths of 19 people in Dorset were used to save lives last year, latest figures reveal.

The number of donations helped the UK reach its highest ever number of donors.

Dorset has seen an increase in donors of 36 per cent in the last 10 years but NHS Blood and Transplant said they still need more people to sign up.

There are currently 72 people on the transplant waiting list in Dorset, including 19 in Bournemouth and 15 in Poole

The annual Transplant Activity Report has been released today (Mon July 9).

It reveals the the overall shortage of donors remains and there is an urgent need for more people to support donation. Around three people die a day in need of a donated organ but many people have never told their relatives they want to save lives.

Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the families in Dorset who have chosen to say yes to organ donation. Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people.

"We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to save lives through organ donation. We want more people to have that opportunity."

The annual report also demonstrates how the ageing population means the average age of potential donors is increasing. The average age of donors in Dorset during the 2017 calendar year was 52.

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register but many over 50s don’t join or tell their families they want to donate because they don't think their organs could help other people.

Sally Johnson added: “We need more people aged over 50 in Dorset to support donation. People in older age groups can still save and transform lives through organ and tissue donation. Many more lives could be saved by telling their families they want to donate.”

Members of the public can join the register at organdonation.nhs.uk