AT least 105 more lives will be saved thanks to kind-hearted Echo readers who have signed up to give blood since we launched our Mine’s A Pint campaign last month.

Latest figures show a 12 per cent increase in the number of people who have registered to become blood donors in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area compared to the previous month.

A delighted Jonathan Sewell, for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We would like to thank donors in the area for their positive response to the Daily Echo campaign to encourage more returning blood donors.

“Since the campaign began we have seen a 12.78 per cent increase in people signing up to give blood.

“It takes just one donation to help save up to three lives so we hope these donors come along to their next session and give a donation.

“If you would like to book an appointment or sign up to give blood (using code Z76), then please visit blood.co.uk or call the donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23.”

Local Christian radio station Hope FM is also supporting the Echo’s campaign. Spokesman Kevin Potter said: “We are delighted to back this community-based initiative because that is what Hope FM is all about.”

The Daily Echo launched the campaign following a warning from NHS Blood and Transplant of a significant drop in blood donations in 2012.

Statistics show that last year on one day alone, there were 851 fewer donations than the previous year, constituting a 12 per cent drop due to sunny weather, the World Cup and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon semi final.

Around two million units of blood will be needed by UK hospitals in 2012 and the equivalent of 500 extra donations will be needed each week in the first six months to help build blood stocks and cover extra potential need from Olympic visitors.

• Latest NHSBT figures reveal 309 new sign ups in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch in January compared to 274 in December.

Forthcoming donor sessions in East Dorset

BOURNEMOUTH

• Bournemouth United Reformed Hall, began on January 27 and is running for six days.

• Bournemouth Uni, Talbot Campus February 20.

• St Mark’s New Church, one day, April 25.

• Kinson Community Centre, one day, April 12.

• Boscombe Selwyn Hall, three days, beginning on Monday March 5.

POOLE

• Canford Heath Community Centre, four days from February 2.

• The Dolphin Centre, Poole 158 days from January 23.

• Community Centre, Upton, April 11.

• Corfe Mullen Village Hall, April 20.

CHRISTCHURCH

•New Milton Memorial, five days from February 8 l Christchurch Priory Hall, seven days from February 2.

RINGWOOD

• For more information or to book an appointment to give blood, visit blood.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can telephone the donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23, quoting The Daily Echo’s campaign code Z76 to find out where your nearest donor session is.