EIGHT blood donors from Wirral have marked a milestone by celebrating a lifetime of donation.

The 'eight wonders' of Wirral celebrated their amazing achievements of 75 and a 100 blood donations at a recent National Blood Service award ceremony in Liverpool.

Attendees were thanked at the ceremony by sickle cell sufferer Michelle Howard who would be not alive today if it were not for the generosity of blood donors.

Amongst the eight was consultant community paediatrician Dr Lawrence Dixon from the Wirral who marked his 75th donation.

Dr Dixon said he has been donating blood for the last 27 years.

"I started donating when I was a medical student as I thought I should," the 46 year-old said. "My wife was helped by a transfusion of three units of blood following the birth of our first child after a haemorrhage.

“I have kept donating over the years as I see the good that whole blood and blood products did in my professional life."

Dr Dixon was joined in marking his 75th donation by former maintenance engineer William Bonner, aged 70, from Wallasey, , fabric shop manageress Maureen Hayes, 56, from Tranmere, and retired milkman Gerard Marnell from Wallasey, 68.

Achieving their 100th donation were retired customs and excise officer Alan Smith, 67, from Thingwall, retired engineering lecturer Roger Newbury, 69, from Raby Mere, retired telephone engineer Bernard Hampson, 68, from West Kirby, and Robert Wilson, 67, from Birkenhead.

Shaun Almond, NBS North West communications officer said the “eight wonderful men and women” should be tremendously proud of their outstanding achievements.

"When you consider that you can only donate blood three times a year, reaching 75 or a 100 donations is a real milestone," he said. "In fact only 1 % of our blood donors reach such amazing heights of selfless generosity.

“Hospitals across Wirral need 1278 units of blood every month to meet patients' needs. It is no exaggeration to say that over the years these eight amazing individuals will have been responsible for saving countless lives."

Anyone aged 17 - 60, weighing over 7st 12lbs (50 kg) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor.

For more information on becoming a blood donor including details of sessions in Wirral or to make an appointment call 0845 7 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk