SEVEN blood donors from the Wycombe area have received awards after their gifts helped save the lives of up to 1,700 people.

The donors gathered at The Courtyard Hotel in Newport Pagnell to be presented with the National Blood Service (NBS) Diamond Award, an engraved crystal decanter given for more than 100 donations. Rashmi Patel, of Cryers Hill, was among those presented.

Eric Carrington, from High Wycombe, Brian Etheridge from Chesham, Trevis Gosling from High Wycombe, Brian Gowlett, from Chesham, Brian Lake, from Chesham and John Nice, from High Wycombe, all received an NBS Emerald Award, in the shape of a crystal plate. Emerald awards are given to those who have given more than 75 donations.

The donors from Buckinghamshire have given on average 564 pints of the red stuff, each pint treating up to three patients taking the potential number of recipients up to 1,692 people.

Louise Coxon, the NBS's spokesman for Buckingham-shire, said: "All of our donors are special but our celebrated donors really have gone that extra mile. They have supported us for many years, in some cases over 40 years, and have attended donor sessions come rain or shine. Their tireless dedication to saving lives is amazing.

"These donors really are the lifeblood of our service and it is only thanks to people taking an hour out of their lives to give blood on a regular basis that our hospital blood banks are full. Taking an hour out of your busy life really can mean a lifetime for someone else."

December is usually a quiet month for donations, but the volunteers at NBS hope people will be inspired to change.

Anyone in good health, aged between 17 and 60 and weighing more than 7st 12lb (50kg) can donate.

For details of donor sessions call 08457 711711 or visit www.blood.co.uk