Chester is well above the regional average when it comes to donating blood.

According to NHS figures, 27 out of every 1,000 people living in Cheshire West and Chester are active blood donors with 6,040 people donating blood at least once in the past year.

This is well above the figure of 20 in every 1,000 for the North West as a whole.

As many as 1,199 people signed up to become donors in Cheshire West and Chester last year which works out as five for every 1,000 people aged between 17 and 70.

This is again above the regional average of four per 1,000.

The figures come as NHS Blood and Transplant revealed 40% fewer new donors came forward across England and North Wales last year compared to a decade ago.

To mark National Blood Week, the NHS said 204,000 new volunteers need to come forward this year to keep blood stocks at a safe level for the future.

Jon Latham, assistant director for donor services and marketing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We simply can’t ignore the fact there has been a stark reduction in the number of new donors coming forward - a trend seen across the world.

“While we can meet the needs of patients now, it’s important we strengthen the donor base.

“If we don’t attract new people across England and North Wales to donate it will put more pressure on the ability to provide the right type of blood the NHS needs for patients in the future.”

In a recent survey by Populus, North West respondents claimed one of the top three reasons for them not giving blood, as well as a fear of needles, was simply not getting around to doing it.

However, of the people who had given blood only 12% in the North West found the experience to be harder than expected and 62% said they felt they had done something worthwhile.

If you are 17 or over, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 today to find out if you are eligible to donate, register as a blood donor and to book your appointment.